JUST ONE QUICK MOMENT

 

The title of my homily for this 23rd Tuesday in Ordinary Time  is, “Just One Quick Moment.”

 

“Just One Quick Moment.”

 

Sometimes it only takes a moment – just one quick moment – to get in touch with God – to get in touch  with another person – to get in touch with  myself – pinching myself for who I am – right here – right now. Hi!

 

I got that thought when I read the last sentence in today’s gospel: “Everyone in the crowd sought to touch him because power came forth from him and healed them all.”

 

If Jesus walked down the main aisle of this chapel – this chapel would be crowded – and everyone would be hanging out  of the benches - in the center aisle  – leaning out to touch Jesus.

 

BOBBY KENNEDY

 

I love to tell the story of the moment I touched Bobby Kennedy  – who was with his brother - John F. Kennedy who became president. I was down to Washington D.C. I think it was in 1958. My brother said, “Let’s go to the Congressional Hearings – in which they were questioning union leaders -  for foul play.

 

We got standing room only spaces – in the back.  I had no idea what was happening – but they called a lunch break – and everyone headed to the edge of the center aisle – to possibly reach out and touch the Kennedy brothers as they were leaving the room.

 

I touched Bobby Kennedy’s right arm – his right sleeve – in the crowd. That’s all.

 

I’ve often asked people did they ever touch the arm or hand of anyone famous?

 

It’s a unique moment. People tell of touching the pope of some famous athlete or actor or actress.

 

Father Grohe mentioned at supper last night that he was in our church – St. Peter’s – in Philadelphia – when the Pope – John Paul II - was there. Well, Gene reached out this hand when the Pope was going by.  And as Gene tells the story, “His hand was almost chopped off by a secret service agent.” “It hurt!” he said as he gestured about this with his left hand.

 

It was just a moment – just one quick moment – the title of my homily for today.

 

Every day we have many – just one quick moments – to reach out to others  - to say, “Hi!” or “Thank you!” or “I hope you have a good day!” or “It’s good to see you.” Or just to touch them – if it’s just their sleeve

 

I have in my Breviary – my priest prayer book – a tiny little card – I think I mentioned this in a homily once before. It says, “Each day, at least once, return the gaze of God.”  Then the card mentions the author, “Richard Rohr.”

 

I do that  - every day – I read it – and pause. Thank you, Richard Rohr

 

I touch God in that moment. Power comes out from God – from Jesus - in that quick moment.

 

By doing that – it has made the moment I receive communion – better. I touch God for just one quick moment.

 

I also do that when I see – other people – who are receiving Holy Communion. I like to watch people receiving communion. We’re all the Body of Christ. We’re all in this together. This is our moment together.

 

We are and we do this in one quick moment.

 

Surprise – just by looking at that tiny card – in my prayer book - and saying Richard Rohr’s words - communion has become much better for me.

 

Surprise – I also have  lots of “Death Cards – in my prayer book  - I call it my portable cemetery – and I like to just go through a few of them from time to time  - and touch that person who touched my life – and I got power from them – back then  - and now again – for “just one quick moment” – the title of my homily.