We Walk By Faith

Dear Friend,

Last week’s lively celebration of the 11am Mass included the baptism of Rachel Dellrose White-Mielko and a communion procession so long that sacristans had to scramble to the tabernacle to retrieve the tiny, easy-to-swallow hosts ordinarily set aside for ministers serving the sick. 

All of which raised questions after Mass. Regarding the hosts, no, we’re not budget-cutting liturgical supplies; this was an emergency! Second, why the overflow number coming to communion? Graduation week at UCSB? Possibly. The family and friends in attendance for Rachel’s baptism? Maybe.  

And then we come to this week’s Gospel, all about a Kingdom of God growing from “the smallest of seeds” and growth’s fundamental mystery: day by day, night by night, a farmer knows not how it happens.  

Scripture doesn’t tell us that growth is about numbers (or the shape of communion hosts!). Not at all. For what we’re meant to see, look at the photo on the cover of last week’s bulletin. Taken by Jim Balsitis at I Madonnari, it captures, from ground level, four men crouched over the asphalt studying an unfinished chalk drawing. The caption is from Saint Paul: We look not to what is seen, but to what is unseen, words echoed this week in the same text: We walk by faith and not by sight. 

For me this is the hope-charged framework for our experience last week and it's meant to stretch us. God is making something beautiful in the life of young Rachel: a future unseen, still taking shape as part of a community. As I, the Lord, have spoken, so will I do, writes Ezekiel. And yes, the love revealed in Jesus Christ and made present to us each Sunday, is meant to do the same thing for the entire parish community, including our visitors - whatever the number!   

Gratefully,

Father Dan, Pastor