Crowded homes and Church

On a much more positive note, I thought I'd start off this week reflecting positively on at least one of the experiences from the weekend. Brandon and Angie Roach (our next door neighbors) had been planning on having a cookout Sunday after Church between our houses to celebrate Angie's birthday (which was Friday) and of course, Mother's Day. They invited people from Church and the neighborhood and despite the rain had quite a good showing!! Grilling outside in the wind and rain was hilarious and fun with Jim Voigt manning the grill, accompanied by Adam Chisholm, Matt Riley, Brandon, and myself.

Then, of course, was the meal where there was no specific organization to seating...just plop down on the couch or find an available chair, and talk to the nearest person about life, faith, music, grilling dogs and burgers, movies, or whatever.

The part I wish to reflect upon in this entry is what happened after the meal (but prior to the allergic reaction...read previous entry for details on that). Brandon, with the help of his daughters and daughters of other couples present, composed lyrics and a tune to celebrate both Angie's birthday and Mother's Day. That was awesome!!

After the song was over, my friend Chris Logan leaned over and said softly to me, "This is Church!!" He then spoke of his experience of Church in Australia and its similarities with the aura present in that place yesterday afternoon. It was nasty outside and there was ample space (loosely defined) for the crowd to gather in the living room/dining room of the Roaches' house. People gathered around, had a wonderful meal (potluck + grilled burgers and hot dogs), talked about God, life, etc., and celebrated the mothers in the group (especially Angie on her birthday).

Today as I have reflected on what Chris said to me, I thought back to a homily offered by a Catholic priest at a wedding I attended last summer. He expounded on the passage about the walk to Emmaus found in Luke 24. Some may think, "Strange passage for a wedding" as I did when he started, but what he shared was beautiful and applied to the wonderful experience we all had at our neighbors' house yesterday.

If you remember the story of Luke 24, it was when Jesus broke the bread to begin sharing the meal that they recognized who he was. The priest's point was that it is in the common components and parts of our everyday lives where Jesus meets us: in sharing meals with your family and neighbors; in sharing with your husband, wife, or close companion the difficulties you are going through; in saying you are sorry when you have let someone down; in expressing love with those most dear to your heart. These are the moments when in hindsight you'll recognize Jesus was there sharing with you all along and you'll remember (like the disciples did after he "disappeared") that you were so happy that you could almost say your heart was "burning within" you while walking, talking, playing, laughing, reconciling with those around you.

Thanks for sharing what you shared, Chris, because what you said cannot stop playing through my mind from last night through today and I have not ceased praising God (aside from some frustrating traffic experiences in Lexington) all day.