Being Present

The story of Abraham and the three visitors/angels is a great example of Being Present.The scripture verse that stands out to me was Genesis 18:2,

“Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.”

I believe this verse captures the essence of Being Present through welcoming by providing the three men with food and drink. Contrastingly, I wonder how often I extend this act of Being Presentoutside of my family and close circle of friends. The challenge for me is get to know people in my local and parish community. Sadly, I don’t know the neighbours who live next door or more than five or six names of the congregation at Saturday night mass. The onus is on me to go beyond the quick hello and make an effort to chat with these people.

Additionally,I was taken with Rublev’s icon of the Holy Trinity which depicts this scripture  of the three angels who visited Abraham at the Oak of Mamre.  What really stands out for me is howthe Father, Son and Holy Spirit complete the circle of the trinity in communion with one another. It caused me to reflect on how many times I go out to dinner with family and friends and they choose just to talk only to certain people or are on their mobile phones. Once again, I am confronted with ensuring I am part of the whole group by listening to others, including everyone in my conversation and putting away my mobile phone. Then I have tried to achieve metanoia an openness of heart expressed through Being Presentand to see everyone in that group as being in the presence of God.

Finally, I would like to conclude with Pope Francis extolling us to embrace Being Present.“I urge you to help transform your communities into places of welcome where all God’s children have the opportunity not simply to survive, but to grow, flourish and bear fruit.”

We can have people who go out of their way to welcome others or create the most beautiful environment but the emphasis needs to be on engaging all people who are members of our school and parish community in wanting to be active participants in our community. I have to be mindful not to make hasty decisions but take the time to consult and listen to others and without judgement which leads to a positive resolution. I believe at the heart of human relationship is being welcomed. When we encounter and trust another it is an encounter with God. Furthermore, I think that starts when each member feels a sense of belonging. This occurs when the school and parish community give them a voice that they believe is listened to and acknowledged. Moreover, they are given opportunities to contribute both outside or inside their environment, through their cultural background which is recognised either through dance or song at assemblies, special celebrations or shared meals at school or choirs and morning teas at Mass Centres. I would argue that when people are appreciated and supported for their contributions it is not only the gateway to building relationships but community.

However, as a school and parish community we still need to reach out to those people at the margins or slipping through the cracks by offering them openings to participate.  Hence, we need to continue to be invitational by ensuring the opportunities are accessible to everyone. Nevertheless, I believe the best way to Be Present to people is through personal contact and witnessing the Gospel values and the virtues of Grace, Compassion, Justice, Wonder, Hope, Hospitality and Courage that Jesus modelled throughout his life.

 

 

 

Hospitality

Our spirit of hospitality shapes who we are and how we relate to others.

In Luke 9:10-17, Jesus despite the scepticism of the disciples feeds five loaves and two fish. The scripture tells us, “Theyall ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.” Luke 9:17. Now Jesus could have said this is all too hard and told the disciples to send the crowd away. However, knowing that that he had the gift through the power of the Holy Spirit to multiply the loaves and fishes he chose to enact that to feed the people.  I believe Jesus did that not only to the nourish the five thousand but  lay the ground work to provide them with spiritual sustenance that would invigorate them for the rest of our lives.

Grace is the experience of God at the heart of life and our relationship with God and others. 

Grace enacts Virtues i.e. actions of God, which engages us to act with Compassion, Justice, Wonder, Hope, Hospitality and Courage. For example, in Luke 15:22-24 we read about the Parable of the Lost Son that extols these virtues evident in the actions of the Father and the Son.

 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.  Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So, they began to celebrate.

Thus, we have the Father demonstrating compassion and justice when he embraces the son and offering him hospitality with a welcome home party.  Additionally, the Son displays courage by choosing to come home and is prepared to work as one of his Father’s servants. Consequently, he does not have to wonder or hope about his future secure in the knowledge that his Father has forgiven him. When I encounter such virtues through my interaction with other people it illustrates a mutual respect of appreciating and acknowledging each other and the value we can bring to each other’s lives. Hence, I would argue those virtues call me to soften my heart and enable me to connect with the sacred.

 

We can do simple acts of hospitality that can make people feel worth something, i.e.dignity and humanity.

A fantastic illustration of these qualities being modelled is the story of Zacchaeus, Luke 19:1-10. What really stands out to me in this story is that Jesus knows that Zacchaeus if given encouragement will want to play a part in continuing proclaiming the Gospel. This is evident when Jesus asks Zacchaeus to come down from the tree because Jesus asks to eat with him and Zacchaeus welcomes this proposal gladly. Furthermore, Jesus also recognises there is opposition to his invitation by the people who have been wronged by Zacchaeus but is rewarded when Zacchaeus says that anybody, he as cheated he will pay back four times the amount. Sometimes when we reserve judgement and instead invest time in people that challenge us, we can be paid back in kindness. I believe this is what Jesus calls us to do daily that is get out of our comfort zone and reach out to those people struggling in their lives. Maybe like Zacchaeus they will pay us back in more ways than we can ever know.