Tuesday night--Parish mission day 3

Theme--Reconciliation

So this resonated with me in ways I was surprised at. Amazingly a group confession time actually brought more tears than an individual time I had a few weeks ago. It was really touching. The leader had us all bow our heads and just listen to his voice as he put himself into the shoes of people who had come to him individually over the years--he would talk about doing wrong things and hurting a spouse, or a parent, or a child. And of course all of us sitting there fit at least one of those. He moved on into community--the church, the school, the neighborhood, our workplaces. I don't think there were may dry eyes--mine weren't and neither were Fr. Tom's.

Oddly enough, my mom came with me. Odd because, well, she has been in a Catholic church all of twice in the past 15 years that I have been Catholic (once was my wedding--2nd was a funeral for someone Dad worked with.) She was surprised at how much the priest said from the Bible--including a quote on the letters B I B L E that her pastor from Illinois used. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth). So maybe she will understand it is not so scary now. :)

Highlights--the story of St. Maximillian Kolbe-a priest who died at Auschwitz. He stepped forward out of ranks to ask for the favor of dying in another's place. And was granted that request. 10 people were put into a metal box that day and left there to die with no food, no water, no way to move, having to lay on top of one another--without clothing, in their own urine and excrement. When the box was opened a week later--Fr. Kolbe was still alive and trying to sing a psalm of praise to God. When he was beatified in 1978, the young American Sargent whose place he had taken was there along with his 3 children and many grandchildren.

And the humanness of Peter--how Peter, just like most of us, would go from high to low--from saying You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God to saying I do not know the man. From saying It is good we can see your glory to falling asleep while Jesus prayed. From walking out to Jesus on the water, to trying to stop Jesus from going to Jeruselem and being rebuked by Jesus saying "get thee behind me Satan". So if such a man can be used by God as a foundation stone of His church--God can use us all.

And the things that keep us from being used and from living life in the joyous now that God wants us to live--Regret, hate, anger, retribution, jealousy, greed.

Fr. Tom told a story I've heard before, but was happy to hear again as it is no less true. A Native American Grandfather was telling a story about the two wolves who live inside every person. One is full of hate, anger, jealousy, regrets, greed, pain. The other is full of Love, joy, peace, freedom. They constantly battle for the top place in our life. One of the young men listening asks--"Which one wins?" And the grandfather answers- "Whichever one you feed".