Monday, November 26, 2007

I've been taking the kids to mass for more than a year now (because their parents work Sunday mornings and can't and can't and raising them solidly Catholic is a priority for Joanna) I love St.Austin's Church - the choir, the atmosphere of welcome, the location near campus, the sense of social justice and worship working together. I am impressed particularly by Father Bob Scott - a priest in his late eighties who has worked most of his life on college campuses and speaks of his God and his Church with great passion and love. He donducted the mass yesterday, the Catholic Festival of Christ the King, and he was so caught in the beauty and power of it that he was singing with the choir in the final procession - Later out on the sidewalk I saw him blessing a saint for the hoe of a young couple, standing out on the sidewalk on a cold rainy morning after a long mass chatting, blessing. I lved all of that.

And I'm Jewish and this isn't my church or my world. I can half forget that most of the time when they're talking about social justice - but Christ the King? That's pretty specific.

I watched Jean's father take Communion yesterday. This man is near the top of my list of people I respect - a World War Two Veteran, wise, gentle, a man who has always been quiet about remarkable athletic and, I think, intellectual competencies. l Yesterday was maybe the fifth time during the almost forty years that I've known this lifetime Catholic take Communion. Every time I've watched him participate in the central action of his religion I've cried because the mindfulness and holiness in his participation is so beautiful.

I seem to have a habit of getting myself into situations like this - where I am immersed in the beauty of something but don't completely own it as mine - It's not even that hard any more - just odd. Maybe I should stop thinking its odd and just realise it is true of me. I am drawn to worship and people of faith and tradition, and don't see to be able to solidly stick in a single tradition.

3 comments:

Ruth said...

I identify with this post... it is frustrating to feel other and half outside...

But really I feel moved that we can see so much beauty in so much variety. How lucky are we to have found so much to be moved by in the world regaurdless of if it is our own?

joanna said...

Mom .. thank you so much or taking the kids. I a glad that you are finding beauty on the services. I am sorry that you feel apart. I guess I am lucky even if I don't know all the jewish traditions I dont feel alienated from the parts I find beautiful ... no ore pushed away than by an unthoughtthrough Christian approach. i wish I could give that to you.

Victoria said...

Joanna, I want it to be very clear that I do not feel pushed awy, ever in any way by the people at St. Austin's. They are so good to me and to the kids. My problem with feeling other is so old - seems to just be part of me. St. Austins is beautiful and inclusive. I'm glad you are able to find beauty in various traditions without reserve.