My Daughter and I drove to Houston yesterday, and as Fate ( the larger Plan) would have it, my Family had planned a Mass at my Sister Carroll’s home to celebrate the Life and final Reward of my Father. As usual, the event was just what the Doctor ordered.

Without real reason, I was struggling when I arrived on Swift Avenue to meet a small contingent of our clan. Despite the fact that I have been doubly Blessed over the last few days to spend them with my Son, and the next few with my Daughter, in an instant I felt fearful.

I started to say that fear and anxiety was sudden and inexplicable, but in this worldly reality I can trace the cause to the root. If I did, I would realize that it was neither sudden or inexplicable. Needless yes, but a mystery the feelings were anything but.

We gathered around Carroll’s circular table with Cousin Johnny Stacer at the head. I to His left and my Sister Mary to His right. I took in Johnny’s African garb, which I always admire in a wondering way, and the Hosts and wine in front of Him. My first thought was “wherever two or more gather”.

I listened with intent, but not intently, as I stewed on the anxious thoughts that had seemingly appeared from nowhere. At this point, and as I have done before when clutter and fear have stepped in the way of my conversation with God, I consciously told the devil to get out of the church. he was not welcome.

At that moment, We were holding hands in the Circle and as Johnny prayed for our intentions, I could feel His left thumb gently stroking the back of my Hand. His next words were, “help Us let go of unnecessary anxious feelings and fear”. Immediately the anxiousness was gone.

The circumstances that caused the feelings were, and are, still the same. However, the realization of the pettiness, unimportance and lack of control I have on them was bestowed upon me. Delivered as Johnny said, on the HOV Lane right from the Source of All.

The short Mass with my Family, and subsequent dinner did what it always does. It lifted me and Us All up. We laughed at, and with Ourselves, told old stories and new, loved and were Thankful.

I am not a good Catholic, but I love my Catholic upbringing, and strong Roots. They gave Me a solid foundation from Which to grow my Faith and Relationship with God. I Believe that our relationship with God is individual. However, it is Moments like These that point out the interconnectedness of All.

Just as Electricity needs a conduit to flow, Messages need a delivery mechanism as well. Sometimes that Pipe is a group of People, or maybe just a Person. We can only Hear if We Listen and the Song is sometimes louder when sung in a Choir.

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” – Matthew 18:20

Peace
Will

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