Recently, I read through "Church of Mercy". It's a book made up of a collection of writings, addresses given by Pope Francis. One reflection that has really stuck with me was that on building a culture of encounter. You can click here to read the whole thing. I started about halfway down with the following: The Church must step outside herself. To go where? To the outskirts of existence, whatever they may be, but she must step out. Jesus tells us: “Go into all the world! Go! Preach! Bear witness to the Gospel!” (cf. Mk 16:15). But what happens if we step outside ourselves? The same as can happen to anyone who comes out of the house and onto the street: an accident. But I tell you, I far prefer a Church that has had a few accidents to a Church that has fallen sick from being closed. He sure knows how to preach it. I've been thinking a lot about this the past couple of weeks. It's something I hear, I believe and yet I struggle to do. It's something that I have been trying to grow in and have been trying to encourage others to grow in. When you ask God to help you grow in something, watch out. Yesterday, as I was walking to the 6pm mass at the Ohio State Newman Center, after crossing High street I spotted what looked like a girl who is a student and a good friend of mine. We meet up consistently to share life together and talk about where we see God and how we can grow in following Him. So I saw this girl talking to this man at the bus stop sign. He was wearing an oversized navy coat and had some scruff on his face, a tattoo around his neck, but the girl's back was to me so I began to doubt that it was actually her talking to this man. Why would she be talking to this guy? Yup. You can say it- I was judging. As I approached and realized that it was in fact her I stopped to talk with them. We didn't do much talking because as it turns out, this girl had just asked to pray with this man and I came just in time to join in. Before we prayed I learned that his mother had died that morning. After praying we walked with him down the street a ways and as he smoked, we spoke a little more and learned that he was recently out of prison and looking to get a motel so that he could continue searching for a job. While he was in prison, he became Catholic. I asked if he had been to mass that weekend. He said no, so I invited him in. He came. ...."Was this an accident? I have a lot of reason to be concerned here (at least that's how I was beginning to feel) What the heck did I get myself in to?".... As we celebrated the mass, I kept a watchful eye on this guy and witnessed as he re-encountered the saving love and the power of Jesus. He wept, he prayed, he thanked God. I was humbled and I re-encountered the saving power of God as I witnessed the reunion of this man with his maker and as Jesus gently taught me that I have nothing to fear. This man told me after mass that he had long ago prayed that God would send someone into his life, a friend, that would help keep him on the right path and he felt that the invitation was in part an answer to that prayer. "God is good, All the time. He is... all the time, He is good", he repeated again and again. As we parted ways, I was left a little stunned. What just happened? I can't say for sure, but I can say that I learned a great deal as we treated this man with dignity and shared Jesus with him. I can say that even though I personally may never encounter this guy again, that it's more important that Jesus does... and I can say that really believe that He will. I can say that I really believe in the power of His mercy and the power He holds to redeem all that is broken. In this “stepping out” it is important to be ready for encounter. For me this word is very important. Encounter with others. Why? Because faith is an encounter with Jesus, and we must do what Jesus does: encounter others.
1 Comment
Jim Kirkwood
9/28/2016 01:17:29 pm
Emily, that took a bit of courage for you and your friend to talk with him, pray with him, and bring him to Mass. His tears show you that your courage was rewarded. You went as far as you could (or should) and now have a good reason to pray that God answers his prayers directly (meaning both soon and in practical ways).
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This Blog...I'm Emily: a mission leader with Saint Paul's Outreach. This is blog is here to keep you up to date with what is happening in the mission field at Ohio State! Archives
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