I was waiting for the southbound brown line at Wellington after visiting a parishioner at Illinois Masonic. A worker from CTA was on the platform cleaning things up and picking up debris. We started to talk about why I was there on a Sunday and he opened up about his family and job. He was intrigued when untold him I was the pastor of st Teresa of Avila since he thought he knew all the churches in Lincoln park but somehow missed out on set. Teresa's. So he boarded the train to find out where this church was on armitage.
Seeing the little church he made it clear he wanted to come back. this happened about two weeks ago. This morning I was setting up the church for a funeral. I left the church to get a cup of coffee and when I returned, there was a man kneeling in front of the altar praying. I saw him as he began to stand up....he was the man I met on the El. I forgot to ask him his name, so he remains nameless in my memory. But the encounter I will never forget not his face.
The woman in this Sunday's gospel who suddenly shows up during a dinner hosted by Simon a leading Pharisee; Jesus was the guest of honor. The woman had a reputation and she sought out Jesus to be healed and forgiven. She wanted to be set free. Simon just couldn't see the woman as Jesus saw her.
If only we can learn to see with different eyes...the eyes of faith...the eyes of Christ. We would never reduce a human being to a sinful situation or a reputation. I'm certain found out her name. Faces and names belong together. To call someone by name is a sign of care and intimacy.
My encounter with the man whose name I forgot had an impact on me and I hope on him too. In a brief time spent together we talked about faith and doubts and how religion fits in with the equation, if it even does. I felt free when I left this encounter. I felt grounded in God's Presence when I encountered him in the church this morning. He smiled at me and told me the next time he comes to St. Teresa's it will be for Sunday Mass. I was so surprised he was there that I never asked him his name.
I hope and pray he returns. I want to finally know his name.
Burn casino. Padre
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