A Daily Liturgy
The Gospel of Thomas gives good advice: “Recognize what is before your eyes, and what is hidden will be revealed to you.” Obviously, there is not much that I can do about the revelation; it will always proffer the unexpected. But what I can do is recognize what is before my eyes!
I want to say something about a kind of daily liturgy that feeds the soul, viz., the amenities of a loving interchange!
Frankly, I miss some of the amenities of a more loving and expressive way of being with another! I will mention only three: a gracious greeting which includes being called by my name, holding the door for another whether carrying a package or not, and including another simply through eye contact. I am often reminded of the 13-year-old Emily from Thornton Wilder’s classic piece Our Town, who although she had died was given her wish to relive a birthday! You may remember that she descends the staircase, watches her mother make breakfast and then receives from her mother a much too perfunctory “happy birthday” greeting. Emily cannot bear the inadequacy of that tiny meeting and greeting! She so poignantly says to her mother, “Mama, please look at me as if you really saw me!”
Emily wants to be recognized; after all, it is her birthday! A loving embrace, greeting, fondness would have been the liturgy that could have fed her soul!
And we? Might we start a little revolution and make an effort to call one another by name, hold a door for another, or grant one another eye contact? Is it only the “child within” that longs for safety in the hands of an adult? Or is it the craving of the adult heart as well for little moments of communion?
Think of today’s world, political messages, insulting comments, lack of respect, pushing another to get out front, innumerable ways to offend, isolate or even bring another to tears.
And we? Do we “recognize what is before our eyes”? What does it reveal to you? To me? To Emilys, whether 13-year-olds or 93-year-olds? Do we even think of the harm we create on the other as well as on ourselves?
When will we change? Can we change?
Renee Domeier, OSB
Photo: College of Saint Benedict staff and sisters participating in a Building Community event at the Gathering Place on September 20, 2024. Taken by Alyssa Tasto.
