Brace Yourself!

“You never had to have braces, did you?” the orthodontist asked. “I can tell because you’re asking so many questions.” Leland will soon need expanders to widen his palate gradually. This will allow a little more space for his permanent teeth to emerge and share the real estate of his mouth.

Of course, knowing I didn’t want to face writer’s block this week, I immediately thought: that’s precisely what Jesus did with the disciples! But instead of our teeth, Jesus expands our hearts—allowing a little more space to love others and welcome them into our lives.

If we are to be an Easter people, the widening must never stop. Although there is some light as the pandemic slowly recedes, there is a full-year backlog of families who have delayed the sacraments of marriage, baptism, Eucharist, and especially those waiting to lay to rest their loved ones properly. But Jesus calls us to continue to expand.

You, the parishioners of St. Monica, have hearts as wide open as the doors to our church. And the way we serve, support, and sustain is needed now more than ever to minister to those in need. Just like St. John’s Medical Center and its personnel are essential for the physical well-being of our community, St. Monica is essential for the spiritual and pastoral well-being of not only you but all those who, with brave humility, turn to us.Open wide.