Come to the Table, All Are Invited

On Friday evening, I attended the 8th grade graduation mass and ceremony for my oldest grandson, James Charles. He graduated from Nativity Catholic School in Brandon FL. We all sat in the same pew, the last section in the large church.

Before liturgy Lisa introduced me to the women behind us. One of them, I will call her Mary, said "I am an Episcopalian" I thought this a funny way to introduce herself, it was the graduation of her grandchild and not really connected to one's faith journey in a direct way. I felt she must be feeling out of sorts being in a Roman Catholic church with a grandchild graduating from a Roman Catholic school.

This parish priest is abiding by Roman's latest dictates about "Sacred Space and quiet before mass" instead of meeting your neighbor to become part of a worshiping community as became the norm after Vatican II. JC's aunt and I joked about his directives and wondered out loud how we could "disobey." We talked and laughed and violated this negation of the gathering of the worshiping community.

When Rev Dagmar RCWP attends a parish, she was the wife of the Governor of Ohio, she does not receive Communion by going through the line. Instead it has become the custom that a member of the parish will go to Communion, bring it back to the pew and offer it to Dagmar. Dagmar receives via the believing community, the ones that do understand that although she is "excommunicated by Rome" Dagmar remains a Roman Catholic.

As I joined the line to receive Communion, the Spirit prompted me, "Receive Communion but do not eat it. Offer it to Mary." I took the wafer in my hand and returned to the pew. Mary was sitting in the pew behind me. I remained standing, "Mary would you like to receive Communion?" "I am Episcopalian" she replied. "I know and I offer you Communion." "Yes," was her reply. I broke the wafer in half and gave it to her, "This is the Body of Christ." I received the host and sat down.

After the liturgy on the way out, Mary said, "I want to thank you for your hospitality. For giving me Communion." I smiled and whispered to her, "I am a RCWP and all are welcome at the table" She hung on to my hand, "I have heard of you, not you personally, but your group. I am so happy to meet you." We hugged and said, "God bless"

All are welcome at the table, in this offering we offer hospitality of equal daughters and sons in Christ our Beloved Brother. I had never had the opportunity to offer the Bread of Life before. I will again. I know that Sofia is happy that I stepped out of my comfort zone to extend God's love to another daughter.

A Blessed Memorial Day everyone as we remember.