Catholics have been very slow to stress the importance of human connection in our church. We must apply the working principle that we all go by: we go back to the same restaurant and grocery store because we connect with the people. When you ask people, “why do you go for coffee at the same restaurant when there are four other restaurants within a two minute walk?”
The answer: I know the folks and they know me! We may only know each other with a few words and a welcoming smile – but we know each other.
It is the people that attract each other to the Church and people that keep us connected with the Church.
In Edmonton, there was a young mother with her energetic children. A grandmother whom she did not know, walked up and asked: “Do you need some help?” From that Sunday forward the young family and the new grandmother sit side by side. They only socialize in Church. They call themselves, “The pew friends!”
We cannot know everyone in our Sunday morning liturgies but we still need to connect with at least one other person in this Church. There will be times when we are travelling that we share in the Sunday mass and we do not connect with anyone. But this is an exception.
I would like everyone to answer the question. If I moved into Moose Jaw, and did not know anyone, (all alone!), would I say, “I will go to church on Sunday for they will surely welcome me. I will meet new people and begin to fit into this new living situation.”
What is missing if you would not expect the church to be a community of welcome?
The church must always have a living face; and it is yours.
We have greeters at both entrances. What a blessing when they shake the hands of everyone: familiar parishioners and new-comers. But now we must extend this welcome to the people who sit near us in the pews. Who has the children? Who has to use a cane or a walker? Who is all alone?
The commentator will greet the congregation, read the announcements and then ask us to turn toward those around us and welcome them. Will it not be wonderful when this take two to three minutes?
Watch the delight that children bring out of the adults when they welcome them. The little one stetches out their hand and grandpa bursts into a smile that fills the room.
In our Christiaan tradition we have emphasized that Christ is in the stranger. Here he is, right beside me at the Sunday liturgy!
Before we begin to pray and worship: connect, smile and welcome. There is a lot more going on than just shaking someone’s hand. This is sharing in the welcome of Jesus Christ. What is so human, is also a moment of divine grace.
No comments:
Post a Comment