They story was told in the eyes of those present. I am not sure they understood a lick of Italian. It is not important. The expression of the eyes of the men and woman clearly expressed their depth of pain and experience of welcoming love.
I remember these "eyes" from my experience in the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Working with what we lovingly called "those old time heroin addicts" and the many variants of the fringe people we saw daily, taught me many things about these eyes. Rich or poor, housed or homeless, I saw these same eyes as we reached out to attempt to meet them in their many places of brokenness. I can never forget them.
Now I see these "eyes" on the faces of those in places not regularly identified as "the fringe." Brokenness, alienation, fear, terror and grief have taken hold in our world and drive all of us into a life that looks ever inward for solutions and comfort. In these most holy days, Jesus teaches us the our happiness and healing is found in service to each other. A healthy interior life is essential. Jesus did spend 40 days in the desert. He now teaches us that this is not enough. The seeming modern obsession with a nearly narcissistic self completion blinds us. When we can have the courage to step outside the protective mote of "pomp and circumstance"in our lives and serve, we will live.
Imperfectly, I join Father Francis is emptying the mote and being open to the grace that comes from the margins of my life and others, with the life of the "yes" to Jesus.
