I am so glad that I had my sidekick Camino Catherine with me today at Mass. When one commits a major false step it is good to have Caminoheads close in. Let me discribe the situation.
Father Marc gave a bang up homily on synchronicity, one of the favorite Caminohead topics of all time. He was doing great and weaving it in with what was happening today at the parish. This particular Sunday is the annual Salmon Bake which has been going on for 55 years. Lots of good chow celebrating the late summer return of fish to Puget Sound. Also, we were dedicating an icon today in the worship area. This has been in process for at least a year and I got to be on the committee that worked on the project. It portrays the risen Christ preparing fish on the beach for the apostles who are coming to shore on their boat. I look forward to seeing it for the first time in a few moments. But all kinds of synchronicity goin’ on.
So back to my miss step, my faux pas. Shortly after the homily is the Sacrament of the Eucharist. This is the very center of the Catholic world. And I go forward following Catherine to receive the body and blood of Christ that is present in the bread and wine. And what do I do but “fat finger” the situation and drop my small piece of bread, piece of Christ right there on the carpet. Yike. So I quickly pick it up and move on.
I am so glad that I had training on the Camino in the form of an outdoor Mass that had something similar. A strong gust of wind sent the Body accross the pavement and there always a scramble to collect Him. But what to do with forces like wind and gravity, we do our best, yes? Pilgrims know that nothing here on earth is perfect but we do our best and keep moving down the trail. So, here we go, love you, Felipe.
For Pete’s Sake, Amigo! If that’s what you call a “faux pau” you’re not going to be able to take much association with me. My friends have actually suggested I get inoculated for “foot in mouth” disease for all the times I have verbally faux pau’ed myself in the most inappropriate places.
Our Dear Jesus has taken much more abuse than that and from really mean spirited folks. I’m guessing he flat out grinned at your momentary discomfiture.
Smile on Amigo, life is good,
SF,
PFJ
PFJ ~ none the less, it was a delicate situation. Being a fledgling Catholic I am feeling my way through the sensibilities of the group. People that call themselves “cradle Catholics” have a certain grasp of the situation but us newbies are in a different category. We are appreciative, curious, attentive, energetic and sensitive to the seriousness of the moment. And we have things to sort out which takes a while. And this was one situation that
needed to happen so I could wrestle with it.
I feel so totally honored to be a member of our parish here on our little island. I can tell that you take the same pride in your people. Hopefully we will have enough days granted to us to worship with each other someday.
And I am so glad that you are back with us here at Caminoheads, Our Pilgrim Farmer Juan. The place just wan’t the same without you and Farmer Cathy’s good influence, I might add. I love our banter and good things are growing out of that fertile soil. Thanks buddy, PFF.
PFJ ~ Dicomfortiture, is that even a word? I will have to remember to slip that into charades. OK, off to my day. PFF.