Here are some of the people who remained after our Sunday Worship on July 34,2011. This was a joyous celebration of the body of Christ. Our format is worship, a communal lunch, then fellowship and Sunday School. Many people remained throughout today as we are now on a biweekly summer schedule to permit for the Vacation Bible School and they were eager to get back together. During the homily,there were many "Amen's" and a moving reflection on the text of the day: Come to me all you who labor and are overburdened and I will give you rest." This group of people whose labor has often been expolited know well the need for rest. They also know the need for rest from the burdens of ill health, family problems, economic problems and the problems of discrimination and stereotypes. As burdens were named and given to Jesus one woman said,"Oh yes, I have all those burdens to give him and more". A distinct comfort was the Scriptural concept,lived in this community , of bearing each other's burdens. And, the Zechariah text about the gentle humble leader riding on a donkey and not riding in the Hummer or Lexus of the day was, for them about the Jesus they knew. The children showed their pictures of Jesus riding on a donkey on Palm Sunday and also talked about the gentle donkey and foal they saw at the petting zoo. We prayed for our Nation to be more like Jesus and enact peace and not power and war on its Birthday. This place where Jesus is so real you can reach out and touch the Christ, is a place of great joy.The abundant homecooked meal was brought by Eileen Wickeri a Lamb of God member, who always stays and has fellowship with us. Pearl, a Good Shepherd member who is originally from the West Coast of Africa, then unveiled a beautiful cake decorated with blueberries ,whipped cream and strawberries to portray the American flag. Today our members came from two Carribbean countries, one South American country, Africa,Italy and Lebanon as well a majority of those Americans born African American into a segregated society that lasted until the 1970's here in Florida. While,many here live below the poverty lines and only five in attendance were upper educated, the depth of theological understanding shared in the reflections on the homily and lived every day is profound. How blessed are we to be church together!
Judy Lee, ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
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