7.13.2005

barefoot before god

About six years ago I found my way back to the institutional Church after an extended absence. I was blessed to find God in a community of real people of faith, the parish I now call my spiritual home. At the time we had a "perfect storm" of sorts in terms of pastors, associate pastors, deacon and religious ed director. Every Sunday was another awesome homily and filled with those "God moments."

I remember sitting in the pews one Sunday. Fr. Dick had just given another stellar "makes you think" homily. He was back in the presider’s chair, giving us time to do just that. And looking down at his feet, flexing his toes. Yes, feet. Yes toes. No shoes. Bare feet. I was perplexed. I was distracted. It wasn’t hot out … why the bare feet?

Not one to stay perplexed needlessly, I asked someone. Turns out, Fr. Dick took todays 1st reading quite seriously. "Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground."

Penni has a great post with the question of the day … "Have we lost our awe?". Worth some deep thinking…..

2 comments:

A Secular Franciscan said...

Wow. Neat image. Yes, I think sometimes many of us have lost a sense of the sacred - but then come moments like this. Thanks for sharing it!

Anonymous said...

Oo ya! I'll sign up for bare feet in church. Not only could it signify our creatureliness and 'nakedness' before God, it could be a reminder that we all have our tender (and ticklish!) spots. And just think of the benefit to the pedicure economy! ;)