I arrived at Most Holy Trinity for a busy Sunday morning of meetings and Masses. I sensed something was different the minute I walked in and it only took me a few seconds to figure it out: NO AIR CONDITIONING; are you kidding me? A couple of things to help set the feeling; today is a summer like Sunday morning. Temps are warm and humidity is high. Our church building is a converted retail space with a flat roof, low ceilings, little insulation and big glass windows that directly face the morning sun. Even as early as 8 a.m. the uncomfortable level was off the charts. I handled my first meeting of the morning; continuing couple preparation for a December wedding and decided it was time to go get some "cool". I arrived back at the start of 9 a.m. Mass, which I was not assisting, and could feel the heat had ratcheted up a bit more since last I checked. And our 9 a.m. Mass during the school year is packed. And the fact that the Saints are playing at noon makes the earlier Masses more crowded. There they were, as I surveyed the scene, packed in the pews shoulder to shoulder in a worship space that had to be about 85 degrees. Every fan was whirling but it was hot.
You know what I noticed? Not a single worshipper was leaving or visibly complaining. And Mass was normal length of time. And after Mass, nary a complaint. I believe everyone there at Mass knew this was just unfortunate timing and well, afterall, we were still at Mass, the Word of God is being preached and Jesus is there with us in the Eucharist. Perhaps one glance at the crucifix at the front of the sanctuary reminded all that Jesus did not have air conditioning as He died on that cross for us. Perhaps one look at the presiding Priest, wearing two additional layers of clothes, vestments known as an alb and a chausable, was enough to give the congregation some comfort, wearing their cool clothing.
By 11 a.m. the heat was on; I don't even want to guess, but Mass is ready to go and there I am, fully vested for my liturgical duties. We announced to the folks about the air conditioning but there was some glimmer of hope; an A/C contractor was on sight!! The first 15 minutes of Mass passed and all of a sudden, a loud thud heard to the rear of the sanctuary and we had air. Yes, we had air!! Even though the worship space never cooled off like a normal Sunday morning; we had cold blowing air. Relief!!
Again, I considered how we as a people can be. Like the 9 o'clock Mass before, I saw no complaining or bellyaching, nor did I see anyone leave before Mass once notified that we would be hot. What a parish!
Today, none of the parishioners would have known that half a world away, Catholics worshipping at Mass in Nigeria were firebombed by Muslim extremists and people died. This is not an isolated incident. It happens week after week somewhere in the Middle East or Africa. No air conditioning; are you kidding me. People die across the world every Sunday because they GO TO MASS!!!
Just here in our own Archdiocese, while we had no A/C, our neighbors in Braithwaite still have no Church to even worship in after Hurricane Isaac. And each one of the parishioners there is still dealing with the clean up and recovery of their own homes. No air conditioning; are you kidding me?
In just the week that passed, I personally witnessed a young mom and dad loose their 1st child; and witnessed both their pain and sorrow and their faith and grace. In the week just passed I've been reading email updates of another young mom struggling with her daily battle against cancer and now pneumonia from a state away. Others in my life are dealing with their own serious illnesses and employment issues and challenges in their lives. No air conditioning, are you kidding me?
Next time we are challenged by life's little inconveniences, sure, go ahead and acknowledge them, but put things always in perspective. And put things always in God's hands! And trust always in Him!
No air conditioning, are you kidding me?
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