Greetings Parents,
At a large event recently celebrating the achievements of our children and remembering some of the funny and unusual events over the past 6 months, it was apparent that the youth enjoyed each others' company - sitting with each other rather than their family and nudging each other as a slideshow revealed another memory of their activities, lounging about, or posing for a humorous shot. Observing their camaraderie brought that parental warm fuzzy that "this is good" for our children. Was this how God felt when He first created everything and saw it all in harmony?
When it came time to clean up, however, the fall from Eden was a little more apparent. Actually, any of them told specifically to do a job usually do it, but if they can sneak off....perhaps some will choose that. Still, those that cleaned up worked so well together, offering suggestions and asking for help as needed. It was another heartwarming sight!
Along with this was conversation among their parents and some siblings with laughter and a sense of being a part of something, simply because our children share time and activities together. During the recognition phase, when almost 300 achievements were related one-by-one, the boys mostly paid attention, always cheered and congratulated, and had many, many humorous thoughts to share - mostly among themselves. The parents also offered some humorous thoughts, mainly related to their own children and to those nearby, but a few were shared loudly with the group to achieve a reaction from their child.
It was a good time. At one point I was struck by how everyone was focused on each youth being recognized and on how so many people seemed relaxed and open to playful teasing. The banter between youth and adults revealed a comfort level and true appreciation and respect for one another.
A confession from me, large-group events and long lists of recognition are not something to which I usually look forward. I should - it is wonderful to give accolades to those who earned them, but my nature is introvert and time for what I need and want to get done always seems too short. This evening, however, was a reminder that we are made for community and called to support one another in it. This time wasn't specifically for my personal benefit, but for the benefit of all and it only succeeded with the good-will participation of many (or all).
Later, I think God nudged my thoughts to Mass. How often don't I attend with so much on my mind to complete and simply waiting for it to finish rather than being engaged. Attending award events when I'm primarily tuned out becomes an item I check off the list. When I engage with the others with whom I attend, then it becomes something in which I participated, and sometimes am changed through good conversation with others. Listening to what was said, rather than withdrawing to my own thoughts, often prompts an insight or idea for which I am grateful. Certainly, it provides something about which I can have more conversation with others who attended - a shared experience.
Pondering the Mass, so much of the above holds true. When my mind is on Mass as something from which I hope to "get" something from, I'm looking for entertainment. When my mind is on the community present - those with whom I attend, those with whom I respond and pray, those with whom I sing, and those with whom I share reception of the Eucharist, it becomes an experience. Even greater is the experience when the community of heaven is pondered during the Mass too! The angels gathered with Christ at all times, along with the cloud of witnesses called saints, present when the Mass begins. Our guardian angels are there with every person! If we have trouble relating to the people around us, these other saints - human and angelic - are always present, through God's power, to our mental conversation if we so wish.
Briefly letting go of the duties of the world make it easier to relish this supernatural time with family, friends, community, saints, angels, and the Divine! Holding on to worldly concerns leaves us present in body, but just passing time until we can check the box.
Ask your guardian angel to remind you of "his" (angels are neither male nor female) presence and remind your children that they always have someone near who loves them immeasurably. May God's blessing pour upon your family in abundance!
- Linda Bader, CRE, St. Thomas More
P.S. Did you know that we use the term angel for all of those spirits that follow God, but each angel is actually its own species, its name reflecting its mission?
