How Do Men and Women See and Experience a RCWP?

While in Fl at Easter I had the privilege of concelebrating the liturgy with my bishop Bridget Mary and her community Mary Mother of Jesus in Sarasota. They meet in a United Church of Christ building at 6PM on Saturday evening for the community's weekly mass.

About 60 folks were present and for about half this was their first RCWP mass. Afterwards a woman came to me and asked for prayers as Jack (member of the healing charismatic movement) and I had offered to pray individually for those who would like to have prayer for any reason.

She said this was her first time at a RCWP and was very open, "Katy your presence, your face shines. You are very special, you are a priest." I responded by saying, "What you see and experience is Godde's unconditional love for you." Her words were not the first time I had heard these words. I have heard them from hospice patients "You shine; there is a light about/in you" I heard them after the liturgy of my ordination to the priesthood "Your presence is different." People have said they have seen the presence in the photo of me taken that day.

When I am at the altar during liturgy, I let go of me and, through my eyes as Henri Nouwen taught when praying with icons, Jesus looks out and sees the people before me. Jesus is in my place. I know Jesus is present with us at all times and most clearly in the Eucharist. Now that I preside in larger congregations I do believe that Jesus is present for the People of God if we invite Him and are open to His presence. I believe the people present are open to seeing a woman in the Imago Dei. They have faith and know that a woman can represent Jesus in their midst. And so He is present to the people if I am open to His taking my place.

What people see and experience is the unconditional Love of Jesus for them, not me. For although I am capable of loving others and my community only God loves in this totally unconditional way. Only love, no limits, no judging all accepted into the Being who is God. Thus we believe and say "We are in the kindom of God."

Blessings everyone,