We have decided to rent a house and get Nativity House started. There has been much excitement around opening our doors this coming fall - all kinds of excitement. Upon taking the board to see the house we will be leasing, we got to meet some of our neighbors. This was Saturday.
At Sunday Liturgy I was given the privilege to serve the Precious Blood.
As I was standing with the cup watching the congregation receive
Christ's Most Precious Body I was overcome by the power present in each
of us gathered there - having taken Christ into our being. It was an
intense moment of grace and an incredible moment of prayer. Little did I
know I was being strengthened for what was to come.
One of our new neighbors was present at the liturgy and voiced her concern. She was troubled at the thought of us bringing, "those people" into her quiet neighborhood. The conversation was very calm and dignified. It ended with her statement. "I may be a Christian, but I am against this."
In all reality this was not a surprise. Any time there is talk of bringing the poor into a neighborhood where there seems to be no poor there will be difficulties. All of the popular stereotypes of the poor come to the surface. They are loud, they are criminals, they have no respect for privacy, they are stupid...
Jesus dealt with this too.
While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matt 9: 10-12)
Monday morning, I woke up at four in the morning, plagued with thoughts of the neighbors hating us. All I could think is, "I have to get to adoration today."
When I got there, I knew that I needed to delve into the Gospels for comfort. The nudging I got said, "go to the end of John." And there waiting for me was a reminder. Jesus and Peter were at it again...
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and
went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your
hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not
want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” (John 21: 15-19)Prior to this account, the Risen Jesus was on the beach barbequing fish for his friends who had been fishing all morning with no luck. He not only provided breakfast for them, he helped them out with a miraculous catch.
Through this passage I was reminded that loving and working for Jesus is not easy. We will be led to places we would not necessarily go otherwise. He will always provide what you need - the nourishment to get you through. He did it for me just the day before with the Eucharist. He will continue to do it over and over again.
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