For All Passersby To Hear
by Paolo Puccini, C.S.P.
January 30, 2017
Editor’s Note: On Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, Paulist seminarian Paolo Puccini attended an outdoor Mass in Washington, D.C.  His reflection is below, along with his photo of the scene.

On Sunday afternoon, I went to Mass at Lafayette Square in the shadow of the White House. I had reservations at first, fearing it would be disrupted by the noise of protesters or disbanded by the Park Police. Fortunately, there were no major issues beyond some distant chants from protesters marching on the nearby streets.
 
As I prayed through the Mass, I realized that this experience was much like reality in which Jesus preached. He didn’t have the luxury of big buildings, microphones, cry rooms, and doors to keep out the noise from the street. Jesus preached for all passersby to hear, even at the cost of his own life.
 
We heard the Beatitudes proclaimed as we gathered to pray in solidarity with religious minorities and refugees targeted by the recent executive orders.
 
Amid such turmoil, I was consoled by the presence of so many other believers, especially fellow young adults. May our Catholic faith move us to better live the challenging message of our Scriptures:
 
The LORD loves the just;
the LORD protects strangers. [PS 146: 8-9]
 
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy. [Mt 5: 7]
 
 
paolo-photo-of-outdoor-mass-in-d-c-on-sunday-jan-28-2017