One of my favorite things about virtual Masses has been hearing the different hymn selections at various parishes, especially those parishes in other countries.
When I tuned into this past Sunday's Mass, a lovely voice sang the opening hymn words, "All are welcome in this place."
I hadn't heard this hymn since my days in catechetical service when it was sung at many religious educators' conferences.
For a moment, I recalled with a smile one night many years earlier when my husband and I and our six sons were sitting in our living room watching TV, some of us on the couch, some on chairs, and some on the floor.
Suddenly the front door opened, and two young women, obviously dressed for an evening out, stepped into the living room. I had no idea who they were, but none of us moved from our spots. They smiled at me. I smiled back and asked, "Can I help you?"
The young women realized they were in the wrong place and apologized, explaining they were supposed to be at the Elks Lodge somewhere in the neighborhood. "You have that big 'Welcome' sign hanging on the front porch, so we thought it was all right to come in," they said.
I assured them it was fine, we all laughed, and my husband walked them back to their waiting taxi and gave them directions to the Elks Lodge.
I've always wondered if that welcome sign has anything to do with the many unexpected visitors who knock on our door—asking for help of some kind, directions, gas, money, a phone call, or just a safe place to sit for a few minutes.
Perhaps my own experience has made the hymn words more meaningful to me, as in the first verse:
Let us build a house where love can dwell
and all can safely live,
a place where saints and children tell
how hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions,
rock of faith and vault of grace;
here the love of Christ shall end divisions.
All are welcome, all are welcome,
all are welcome in this place.
(“All Are Welcome” words and music by Marty Haugen. Copyright © 1994 by GIA Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.)
The composer seems to be writing about our Catholic faith's radical hospitality, lived both in our personal lives and the sacred rites of our religion, particularly the Mass, where we encounter Jesus in response to his invitation to "Come, follow me."
With Jesus, explained the same Sunday Mass's homilist, "there was no such thing as an outsider." He reminded us that Jesus was disparagingly referred to as the friend of tax collectors and sinners, and it was for these that he came, hoping to build the vital relationship that leads to faith.Pope Francis has long stressed the importance of recognizing each other as brothers and sisters, as a pathway to peace and solidarity across the world. So it is no surprise that on Oct. 3, the Holy Father will sign a n
ew encyclical on human fraternity entitled "Fratelli Tutti," which may be translated in English as "Brothers and sisters, all."
Our journeys may begin with the radical hospitality of our faith—offered or received.
Mary Regina Morrell is a Catholic journalist, author, and syndicated columnist who has served the dioceses of Metuchen and Trenton, New Jersey, and RENEW International in the areas of catechesis and communication.PRODUCT SUGGESTION
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