Wednesday, August 19, 2009

present to the Present

At this evening's bible study session, the organizer, Jonathan, was able to get a local Franciscan priest to come and talk with us. We've always enjoyed the nights that Fr. Kevin comes over because he's funny, but also it's essentially "open mike night." It's our questions, rather than the theological verse-by-verse breakdown of Acts 8; although this is equally fruitful.

There was a good discussion going on homilies, what to expect, how to kindly and politely address issues with priests, pastors, etc. But there was one thing that stuck out to me this evening: "being present to the Present (Presence) in the present." It's being contemplative in action. It's being aware that when you and I speak face to face, Christ is right there with us. Can we shut down Facebook, Blogger, Xanga, LiveJournal, MySpace, LinkedIn, BrightFuse, CareerBuilder, Indeed, Monster, &c for just once to notice that these things are rewarding us for being distracted and distant from the Only One who should matter to us? No wonder our chapels are empty, the Blessed Sacrament is abandoned. No one knows how to just sit with Jesus anymore!

Monday, August 17, 2009

Dress This Way, Look the Other Way?

Case in Point

Rant:

This past Saturday was the Feast of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven. It was also my 2nd cousin's wedding. Before going to into the church building, I put on my shoulder wrap, covering up my nearly bare back and arms. Mom had a fit saying "God doesn't judge! God doesn't judge that way!" While I cannot bear Scriptural proof that God would or would not judge me for how I go dressed to Mass, I follow a few simple points. One of them being that when I enter the House of God, I'm literally standing before Him in the Tabernacle (albeit, Veiled in wheat). When I was working, I had to be dressed properly for the position. If you dress well for a mere mortal you call boss, how much more should you dress for the one you call Master and Saviour? You should give Him your best because He gave you His All.

I also dress formally for Mass (business casual or interview worthy) because I know how distracting casual and informal dress is: I don't want to see tattoos or bikini tan lines, or g-string triangles. If others (men and women) are distracting to me, how more so am I for someone else? Chapel veils help shield my side vision from other distractions, and I can reasonably assume that I'm not contributing to someone's near occasion of sin.

What's your reaction / opinion?