Let The Homely Atmosphere Be Felt

http://www.mhsfx.catholic.org.mo/index.html

On Monday most of us parishioners stayed after the 9:30am mass for the New Year Celebration. It has become a tradition for parishioners to gather together on New Year Day to exchange greetings with one another.

The hall soon became packed with people. At first we stood or sat aside almost speechlessly as if waiting to be lectured by our parish priest. Fr. Peter suggested we shake hands with the people on our sides and wish one another a Happy New Year. Gradually, the hall became filled with a celebratory atmosphere of ecstatic bliss. The barriers between people were removed and even strangers became friends. The overall mood became even more cheerful and boisterous as the priests started giving out ‘red packets’. Warm greetings and thanks were heard in every corner. The scene was typical that of a family gathering.

Questions began to race around my mind. Why is this homely atmosphere felt only on festive occasions? Without Fr. Peter’s advice, would we have bothered to take the initiative to talk with the people beside us? When invited to ‘offer the sign of peace’, do we not have the capacity to share a smile or do we even avoid eye contact with those we are unfamiliar with? Do we go to church simply to seek encounters with God and hurry off immediately after Mass taking the other church-goers for total strangers? Is God Himself pleased with the aloofness and alienation among the parishioners?

In his book ‘Church: Why Bother?’ Philip Yancey, a famous Evangelical Christian author, highlights the church’s values as family and community as evident in the Gospel. Our church is actually a big family and all the parishioners are like brothers and sisters, among whom there need be strong ties and close communication. Let friendliness and harmony prevail among us Christians not only on Sundays and festive occasions. Let our church be our home away from home!