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Reaching Out Off the Wall Dec. 14, 2006 It's always been a habit of mine when going to a function or appointment to always show up at least 10 to 15 minutes prior to when I'm supposed to be there. My parents, in my upbringing, instilled this habit in me. Thus, upon entering church one morning, I easily found a seat among the many pews, sat down, then kneeled and prayed. Shortly after returning to my seat, the organ music began playing. The anticipation of the celebration of Mass was now a reality. Minutes later after being told a hymn number, the congregation started singing. Looking off to the left, I noticed the procession moving up the aisle. All was according to tradition until one unforeseeable event took place. As the group neared the altar some 20 feet away, a little child's arm extended out and up to the priest who was walking near her. He removed his right hand from the hymnal, lowered his arm so as to softly make contact with her palm, and then returning it to the base of the book. He then continued on with the others as though nothing had taken place. The gesture not only brought smiles to the parishioners, but also touched the hearts of many. To me, it was more than two friends making contact. The little girl looked up to the robed gentleman with love and admiration just as he, in the past, shared God's love with her at one time or another. Quickly, what came to mind, after the priest had reached the altar, was a very famous and inspirational painting by Michaelangelo titled The Creation of Adam. In this depiction, the Renaissance architect portrays God reaching down to the first man with His finger touching Adam's extended hand. As I thought about it more after I got home from church, much came to mind particularly now that we are in the Christmas season. What do we do when, for example, we go shopping? Is it that we feel that we have to buy gifts for others just because they are doing likewise for us, or is it a form of reaching out, showing others that we do care for and appreciate them? This is a season that a lot of homemakers love to bake. As crazy as it may seem, at least to me, I have been told that some women will stay up all night making dozens upon dozens of the sugar-filled cookies which will distributed to their family and friends. I can go along with the baking process. Somehow, I can't fathom the idea of working into the wee hours of the morn cranking out these circular goodies. Reaching out comes in other forms as well. Caroling can be considered as a way of doing just that. Often groups will get together and sing Christmas songs outside the town hall as done in Ligonier, in the diamond, or other parts of not only that town but surrounding cities as well. The bell ringers for Salvation Army, for example, are presently seen seeking donations outside supermarkets and other places people frequent a lot. Senior citizens in facilities throughout the area are often visited and presented gifts. Get-togethers will be taking place all over the world. People will be motoring to the homes of relatives or vice-versa. This may be one of the few times of the year that neighbors as well may join. People will be invited over for parties, and there will be much merriment. Food is collected for the hungry. In addition, churches and organizations offer Christmas dinners for the public. Santa Claus is famous for his talents of reaching out and bringing cheer to the children. Pumped full of excitement, the jolly fat man will convincingly appease the anxious that the elves will get down to work making sure all their requests will be found under the tree Christmas morning. And even by buying the right tree, decorating it and putting up lights, we are telling the world that we are in the process of celebrating a magnificent event, the anniversary of the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. And to think, had it not been for the actions of one little girl, I would have missed a blessing.
Paul j. volkmann 11/04/06 |
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