Knowing in my heart and in my head that I am supported in my
call to the priesthood is one thing.
Experiencing the support and love from friends and family first hand is
another. This morning did not start out
as smoothly as I thought. I was at
church early, finding three tires in the parking lot. Thinking they would limit the parking spaces,
I put them on the grass and headed back to my car to grab my garment bag and my
… wait … did I? … I did. I left my
sermon on the stairs at home. I rushed
back home at speeds I would scold anyone else for driving, grabbed the sermon
and rushed back to church … with three minutes to go until the service
started. I was not the only one feeling
a little concern! Poor Judy and the rest
of the folks there! Judy told me they
would wait for me, and the rest of the 8:00 service went without a hitch
.
The 10:30 service would have its own circumstances that
would cause my stomach to spin—five of my diva friends were there, sitting in
the front of the church, wearing their tiaras on their heads and grins on their
faces! When it was time for the sermon,
I introduced these gals and explained, “We have a pact that whenever two or
three are gathered together we must wear our tiaras!” and pulled mine out for
the congregation to see. I didn’t put it
on, however. I went on to tell of my
singing with the band on Friday night, and one of the Divas held up a picture
of me singing! There were a few giggles,
and some people asked to have a closer look at the photo!
The sermon went fine, especially since I purposely avoided
looking at any of the Divas or my family.
We had the Nicene Creed and then the Peace. I returned to the altar, saw my tiara was in
the way and took it to put it away. The
priest grabbed it out of my hands and put it on my head! The congregation clapped and cheered. What a riot!
I had another experience, too. I was asked to help distribute the bread at
communion. I’ve never done this
before. I helped the priest by “pointing”
the liturgy (helping her stay on the right line). And then she gave me a plate with a half loaf
of bread and sent me out to give communion.
My daughter and husband were the first to receive my first giving of
communion bread. The Divas were
next. There was something special about
saying the name of each person and giving them the “Body of Christ.” I didn’t always remember the name, and other
times I didn’t know it, but there were connections made. Probably my favorites were the four little
girls who were from the last family.
Each reached out her hands and I squatted down and looked her in the eye
as I gave her the bread. I got great
smiles from them as they received this gift from God. Those smiles were gifts to me.
The day was filled with more Diva time, brunch at one house
and visiting at another. These were a
bit quieter than the nights at the bars.
Everyone was a bit more tired and a little less loud. It was nice to be more centered and focused
on a few, our relationships with one another growing.
Dear Holy One, you bring people into our lives who honor and
respect the choices we make, who help us and guide us through the difficulties,
who love us unconditionally. We count
on these folks to support us and lift us.
It is a blessing to be surrounded and embraced by them, for it is a
human touch that comes from you. Amen.