I'm sure no real surprise in what I'm about to share: we were packed in like sardines in the pews today and experienced a little standing room only too! Easter Sunday and we gathered in community to sing our Easter Alleluia's and rejoice in the Risen Lord Jesus! I was happy to spend my entire morning at Most Holy Trinity; to see the large number of worshippers; some brightly adorned in all their Easter finery!
Based on the need to roll out the portable chairs, have extra communion hosts available and overhear the more than occasional incorrect responses I'm confident we had some among us who come to Mass only at Easter and Christmas. Perhaps we had a few who come from time to time but never would miss Easter Sunday. Here is my response to their attendance today: we're so glad to have you with us, come back more often. We miss you when you are not with us and we need you too. Need you? Deacon, what are you talking about? Let me explain.
We Catholics are truly a family; a huge family with all types of members. We have those that come to almost every family event and we have those who come from time to time. And yes, we have those, who for what ever reason, do not feel the tug to come at all. For those of us who come all the time, we carry a burden, especially at Easter and Christmas. The human side of us wants to scream out at those who come infrequently. After all, you take my seat in church, and my parking spot to boot. You haven't been here all year. Why do you come now? But I hope the human in us can be tamed. The more spiritual side of us, the Christ in us, should have a far different reaction. We rejoice that you are here with us and I trust those of us you encountered welcomed you with open arms. Yes, maybe you forgot about the new responses, but those of us that go every week with out fail still get it wrong. The simple fact is we truly need you.
The Church is all She can be in both the Head, Jesus Christ, and the body, you and me. Without you, we can't be all that we can be, can we? We truly need you with us. Tell us what we can do so we can see you more often. Tell us what holds you back from at least a weekly encounter with Jesus. You may be surprised to find out that many of us were once where you are now.
It is my fervent prayer that maybe just being with us today and something you heard in the homily, or heard sung in one of the hymns, or remembering that remarkable moment in time when ordinary gifts of bread and wine are consecrated and become Jesus' body and blood, will pull you back to us. Don't wait to find out. Just make that decision right now that you will crawl before you walk and return to Mass this next Sunday. After all, it will still be Easter, in the fact that it is the octave day, and it also is a huge feast; that of Divine Mercy. We truly hope to see you there. Let us know what we can do to encourage you to come back or help you along the way.
Oh by the way, just at my own parish today we had remarkable attendance. In the four masses on a typical weekend we have about 1200 in attendance. Today, we had around 1750. And I'm convinced that at least two of these masses we could not have possibly counted them all! We rejoice in these numbers and I know that God is happy too. You made God very happy today! We can continue to do so all year long.
Jesus Christ is risen today, alleluia. He is truly risen!!
No comments:
Post a Comment