Dear Friends,
One of the most powerful expressions of friendship and mutuality is sharing a meal together. We normally eat
with people we like and with people who are like us, but sharing a meal with a person we do not know is a great
way to break down social boundaries. One of the great gifts of priesthood is the opportunity to share meals with
so many different people, some of them parishioners, others are people who happened to be at the same table as
me at a fundraiser or a reception. All of us need to eat and when we break bread together, we share a solidarity,
a common humanity.
with people we like and with people who are like us, but sharing a meal with a person we do not know is a great
way to break down social boundaries. One of the great gifts of priesthood is the opportunity to share meals with
so many different people, some of them parishioners, others are people who happened to be at the same table as
me at a fundraiser or a reception. All of us need to eat and when we break bread together, we share a solidarity,
a common humanity.
Meals are also at the heart of the Christian story. Like in today’s Gospel passage from Luke, Jesus frequently
ate with his followers. Jesus also ate with his adversaries when he dined at the home of Pharisees. Jesus was
most often a guest but sometimes he was also the host. In either case, meals were settings where Jesus shared
deep insights into the Kingdom and what it meant to be a follower of his.
ate with his followers. Jesus also ate with his adversaries when he dined at the home of Pharisees. Jesus was
most often a guest but sometimes he was also the host. In either case, meals were settings where Jesus shared
deep insights into the Kingdom and what it meant to be a follower of his.
Jesus taught a Pharisee in Luke 14 that when he throws a party, he should invite those who normally get
overlooked or who have little to offer. Jesus says that these folks are the ones that God wants to make sure are
included. Jesus is not saying that we should ignore our friends and family, just that we should widen our circle.
Every time we gather for Mass, we are sharing a meal with Jesus and with his friends who have joined us. I love
the fact that strangers always feel welcomed at Cabrini, that people of all different incomes and races feel they
belong here. I love that there are no special places in our churches, no higher priced seats. If you end up sitting
where the Deacon and I sit, you must work. When the students from All Saints School gather on Tuesday
mornings for Mass at Cabrini, the faces of that crowd represent every part of God’s beautiful world.
overlooked or who have little to offer. Jesus says that these folks are the ones that God wants to make sure are
included. Jesus is not saying that we should ignore our friends and family, just that we should widen our circle.
Every time we gather for Mass, we are sharing a meal with Jesus and with his friends who have joined us. I love
the fact that strangers always feel welcomed at Cabrini, that people of all different incomes and races feel they
belong here. I love that there are no special places in our churches, no higher priced seats. If you end up sitting
where the Deacon and I sit, you must work. When the students from All Saints School gather on Tuesday
mornings for Mass at Cabrini, the faces of that crowd represent every part of God’s beautiful world.
The Spaghetti Dinner is happening today. Many of you will be working the dinner and this gives you a great
chance to meet other parishioners and those who simply want to help us. Others of you will be coming to the
dinner to eat and support the school. I encourage all of you to engage those who are sitting near you in a
conversation. Get to know their story, enjoy laughter, conversation and care.
chance to meet other parishioners and those who simply want to help us. Others of you will be coming to the
dinner to eat and support the school. I encourage all of you to engage those who are sitting near you in a
conversation. Get to know their story, enjoy laughter, conversation and care.
As you share those meals, remember today’s gospel story. They were eating with Jesus and did not realize it
until it was too late. You will be eating with Jesus as well. Don’t miss the opportunity to come to know Jesus
and our community in a deeper way.
until it was too late. You will be eating with Jesus as well. Don’t miss the opportunity to come to know Jesus
and our community in a deeper way.
Peace,
Fr. Damian