When I travel, I enjoy the opportunity to learn more about my destination. Dining in a neighborhood restaurant can be such a pleasure. The local news can provide insights into events, reactions to the weather, and what the community values. I also enjoy attending Mass in a church I have never been to before… sometimes at a church not frequented by tourists and sometimes at a well-known cathedral. When I visit a new church, I see how parishioners interact with one another, look for meaning in the architecture, wonder about the history of the parish, and marvel at what must have been sacrificed to build the church. Whatever the setting, I find comfort in the universality of the liturgy. And during Ordinary Time, I find visiting other parishes in my own community reanimates my engagement with liturgy and community.
In the first reading from Kings, we hear about all of the pomp and elaborate details for the festival in the month of Ethanim. The reading culminates with the glory of the Lord filling the temple. The dark cloud symbolizes the powerful and mysterious presence of God. The imagery in today’s Gospel from Mark is a sharp contrast to Kings. When Jesus and his disciples come to shore, Jesus is immediately recognized, and people flock to him. People bring their loved ones who need healing to the shore, the marketplace, or wherever they can find Jesus. Simply touching the tassel on his clock brought healing. In an elaborate temple or a simple marketplace, God is present
As I pray with today’s readings, images from my attending liturgies during my travels come to mind. A church built of concrete blocks outside of Cancun City; I felt the presence of God. The church in Brooklyn, where my parents were married before moving to the Midwest, I felt the presence of God. An elaborate, beautiful Cathedral; I felt the presence of God. An unfamiliar suburban parish in my own town; I felt the presence of God.
To deepen my prayer, I reflect upon these questions: Where do I find God in my daily life? What distracts me from being fully present to community members? What healing do I need to seek? How can I support others seeking healing? Do I have the faith to trust that touching the tassel on the cloak of Jesus is enough?
We hear in Psalms: “May your priests be clothed with justice; let your faithful ones shout merrily for joy.”
Mary Lee Brock
Here at Creighton University, I serve as the Director of the Negotiation and Conflict Resolution (NCR) program and as an Assistant Professor in the Heider College of Business. The mission of the NCR program is to prepare agents of social change to engage and resolve conflict effectively, efficiently and humanely. As a conflict engagement educator, facilitator and conflict coach, I encourage individuals and groups to develop conflict competency essential to personal, professional and community growth.
Being in community with others is where my faith grows and where I am encouraged to love and serve others. My life is blessed with a loving family, loyal friends and the occasional rough patch to keep it real. The online ministry community is rich, far flung faith sharing community of which I am honored to be a member.
