I write today with a heavy heart about a personal faith-related discussion that I had yesterday with a local Vicar—the matter related to a material desecration that took place (of all days) on Christmas Day.
A friend and I were both witnesses to it.
While the incident was a misunderstanding, it was clearly and blatantly avoidable. Anyone with a discerning heart and mind could obviously see the circumstances that lent themselves to it.
This same friend and I wrote a letter to the Vicar about it. We did receive an appointment to discuss the matter in person. However, by the end of the discussion, the vicar’s posture and message regarding the incident became clear. And, while not explicit, the general message was:
“s#!t happens”
For Catholics, the Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith.
Everything else is a distant second.
It was the equivalent of hearing from the doctor charged with caring for your father or mother that they fell down the stairs during their hospital stay….”Sorry. s#!t happens.”
It goes without saying, I won’t be returning to that church ever again.
All this to say, that in whatever your dealings, don’t pay attention to what people say, but what they do.
How genuinely interested they are in hearing your side.
Are they blaming and shifting responsibility or taking accountability?
If the following are not present:
- Action
- Interest
- Accountability
Run.