Being Catholic, I regularly attend the Saturday or Sunday church service. The mass has breathtaking consistency regardless where in the world you attend it. However, the week to week regularity means that I for one, need to vigilantly be ‘in the moment’ so that I don’t wind up thinking of some other notion, conversation, news item or worry that I have.
But at the church in Bellevue, WA where I attend now (St. Louise de Marillac) portions of the service are simply impossible to “miss”. Here’s one of them: when the parishioners can make an offering, the children present may drop off a food item or a check / cash offering.
It is amazing what happens.
From every direction, children flood into the front. Some walk. Most run, jog, skip. Some trace very clear arcs in their path, and even lean into the curve they are carving. Some walk in with certain trepidation at first, but gain confidence and verve from their counterparts. Older siblings literally carry younger ones up and down the shallow steps.
A regular contingent will walk up to say hi to the priest and deacon, and even give brief updates: a new haircut; boo boos on their elbows; something their sister did. (The priests relish it too. These are the most vibrant parishioners in their flock.)
And none “go thru the motions”.
There is a passion, an immediacy to their actions. The volume to this energy is nearly deafening for me. One has to smile at these kunduns showing us how to carry on. It is humbling and inspiring at the same time.
Taking care of business...
Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2009 (click for larger image)
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