As I reflect on a Eucharistic Church, I believe we have “missed the mark,” as a church, in teaching and living the truth of ourselves in light of the gift of life and the reality of who we are in Christ. So many of our brothers and sisters, who are utterly empty of hope and belonging, are turning to violent means of ending their own lives and sometimes taking the lives of others. We say we are children of God and we have dignity because of this truth. Yet, so many of us walk on the road to Emmaus with our heads down, lost in our own worlds, not recognizing our fellow humans with Christ within and in our midst.

Walking forward in the communion line as if on my road to Emmaus, I focus my attention on “the source and summit of the Christian life.” So focused, I neglect who is in my periphery, the people of God, the community of faith. I pass the people I don’t know or barely know and I think about my sin, my unworthiness, my silent sufferings, not wanting to be bothered with the concerns of others: the loneliness, anxiety and despair that are rampant in our world. So intent, tunnel-visioned even, I ignore Christ that walks before and behind me, including the ones on the margins of our churches and our world. Pulled forward by our fears and remnants of faith, we move as if alone and isolated, lost in our newsfeeds and conspiracies. According to Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, chronic loneliness and disconnection effects over half of the people in our country. This then leads to a loss of hope. Reality, truth and connection are hard to come by. Yet I know where a sense of belonging can begin.

The meaning of ashes on our foreheads takes us to the ground of our beings where God’s truth and mystery dwells. In awe, we stand gazing at our own lives and moments of wonder that help us to gaze at the cross with humbled and expanded hearts. From ashes to awe to the cross we stand in our truth before the crucified one and allow God to be God.

God’s mercy is always available to us but how often do we ask for it or receive it? I may not think I need it, or maybe I’m not a sinner after all. I may not feel worthy of God’s forgiveness. Through the parable of the Prodigal Son and the movie, “The Mission,” we explore God’s mercy and what makes it so important to living a full life.

What is the connection between Pentecost and an American Indian powwow? In the sacred circle of the powwow and in the Trinity, we discover our calling to the circle dance in the heart of Christ. May we all enter into this space to build up the Church and proclaim the Good News. (6/16/22)

The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone and it is amazing in our eyes! How can kerygma, proclaiming the Good News, teach us to be the cornerstone? How can we see the world, each other and ourselves with Easter eyes-facing truth and standing hopeful in the midst of rejection, just as Jesus was and is rejected for weakness that is our strength and joy?

In John’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us to wash the feet of others, even through misunderstanding or betrayal. Do we also allow others to wash our feet? If we can do both things, wash and be washed by others, we will be transformed by the love of Christ.