When will I learn? Having grown up with all sisters and considering that I work mostly with a predominately female staff, you would think I would learn to keep quiet when the topic of a conversation has anything to do with hair. But then again, I’ve learned that I get in trouble when I say something and I also get in trouble when I don’t say something. It really is a losing battle. Even when one of my sisters or my mom might mistakenly ask my opinion about their hair and I take a nano-second pause to calculate carefully what I ought to say, I still get in trouble because I’m told I should have been able to say something without the pause!
This particular story has to do with hair coloring. I must admit that this whole hair coloring ritual intrigues me. I’ve gotten to know a bit more about this interesting ritual just showing up at Diane’s house where I get my own haircut. There are times when I have to wait a minute or two so Diane can finish a customer’s hair coloring before she can start cutting my hair. Just watching her carefully apply the made to number color mixture that looks like the consistency of a thick molasses has me grateful that coloring my hair isn’t part of my haircut process. I’m grateful I’m in and out within 20 minutes.
As you have learned by reading some of my recent articles, my mom had knee replacement surgery about a month ago. Because she ended up being in the hospital for a few days there were a number of times the Bugarin clan all converged on the hospital at the same time. On this one particular day, I remember leaning over the chair my sister Cindy was sitting in. As we were entertaining ourselves (and I’m sure my mom was just wishing we’d all go home so she could get some rest), I must have been bored or not too interested in the conversation because I started looking down on my sister’s hair and became focused on the slight variations of brown I was seeing. I innocently asked, “Cindy, what number do you use? I’m amazed with the slight differences in color in your hair.” Suddenly the room went quiet (and at that moment it seemed like the whole hallway went quiet too). I knew I was in trouble. All the Bugarin girls turned their heads towards me with such speed and laser like precision that if it had been a Olympic contest with a room filled with owls, the owls would have lost. Cindy was the first to speak up. “Why, are they gray,” she asked. Before I could even start to defend myself, Jackie took over the conversation. “WHAT are you talking about? UNBELIEVABLE … What color do you use? That’s why you’re a priest. Can’t you just keep quiet about the hair stuff?” With that, the Bugarin girls went back to their conversation as if nothing happened. Thankfully, I escaped without any major repercussions. But I’m sure this won’t be the last time I open my mouth and get in trouble.
“Carry Out” and “Dine and Dash” Customers: Occasionally I distribute Holy Communion near the Overlake Street entrances. It’s an eye opening experience and I cringe as I watch what happens. The number of “Dine and Dash” customers (as I like to call them) is absolutely incredible. Even as I purify the vessels at the altar, I am amazed to look up and witness the number of people who make a mad dash to exit early. I’ve seen people take the Blessed Sacrament, turn against traffic and exit the doors while still consuming the sacred host as they descend the stairs.
I’ve often wondered why people receive communion and then immediately run out the door. What’s the rush? Where are they going? I enjoy standing outside before the end of mass (with the sole intent of greeting people as they leave) and watching people’s faces as they embarrassingly shake my hand and offer excuses why they were “caught” leaving early. “Father, it takes too long to get out of the parking lot” or “Sorry, Monsignor, I have things to do,” are among the more common excuses. Then the best one is when people say, “It figures, the first time I leave mass early and I get caught by the boss!”
Just as we need to prepare to receive Holy Communion (the hour fast for example) there is a need to spend time in prayer after communion to give thanks and praise to God the Father for the wonderful gift of the Eucharist. We have to remember that the Church teaches us that the Eucharist is the “source and summit of the Christian life (Vatican II,
Lumen Gentium 11)” and thus our participation in it should always be a priority in our lives.
In reality, when we leave early or skip mass altogether we are saying to God that he is somewhat like second place in our lives; that God is not the source and summit of our life. Is God second place in your life? Is there anything so important in your life that warrants skipping out on a part of mass or not coming to Church at all?
In the Gospel of Luke (10: 38-42) we are given the wonderful account of the Lord’s visit with Martha and Mary. Luke tells us that Mary sat beside the Lord listening to his every word while Martha was busy with much serving. Martha actually got upset that Mary was sitting there when there was so much work to be done: “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” The Lord said in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”
Are you like Martha, anxious and worried about many things? Or are you like Mary who has chosen the better part? We are not offering “Jesus to Go” with “Dine and Dash” options but rather a participation in the heavenly liturgy. May we realize that full participation in the entire Eucharistic Liturgy each weekend is and ought to be the “better part” … the
best part of our busy lives!
85+ Dinner Update: Due to scheduling and timing issues, we’ve decided to postpone the annual 85+ dinner until early next year. Invitations will be going out shortly after Christmas.