Company is Coming

One year, Frank and I happened to be solo for Easter Sunday mass. Even though we arrived early enough for seating in the main church, Frank nudged me, guiding his arm the direction of the stairwell to Parish Hall, where planned overage seating was located. I, in turn, pointed to the main church and said, “But Frank, the choir is singing up here. There is still room for us.”

“Janie, we have company today and we always give up our seats for company. We enjoy the choir every Sunday, but many don’t. Let them have their moment. Maybe they’ll come back.” Wow! With one line, Frank changed the way I saw our purpose.

Without another word, he made me think of the mothers and grandmothers, wearing out their rosaries praying for their children to return to the faithful. I thought about those that show up because they were never raised with belief, but are in search of something Christians are known for – hope and happiness. All these people are like little seeds and we are in charge of keeping the soil fertile.

This year, at Good Friday services, we knelt and prayed for the lost souls, that they too, would come to know God. Actually, this is part of our weekly petitions.

We are to welcome the stranger, but too often we carry a mental image of someone unkept and probably homeless. But for Easter, most of them come wearing their Sunday best. You may not know them, but the family that is in your pew is there needing you to show them God’s love.

Share your hymnal, park a little further and walk. Know that the crowded space is probably an answer to someone’s prayer. Share joy – who knows, they may come back!

Janie Carney