This is a Sunday story. There was a time, a very long time ago, when I spent my Saturdays in the vestry, getting the vestments, the robes and other important items ready for Sunday mass. I was such a dedicated and diligent acolyte. I came face to face with my past, last Monday, as a presenter, at a meeting of the heads of the Christian faith where they were looking for solutions to crime. As I made my presentation on youth violence and youth homicide, my mind drifted off a bit to the many Sundays, as a 12 year old, when I stood in front the congregation in my crisp white robe to deliver my reading...After my presentation, on Monday, I got the blessing of a lifetime...His Grace...the Archbishop...wanted to meet me...his words warmed my heart...and his request excited every criminological bone in my body. Faith-based organisations have a very powerful role to play in crime reduction, building community efficacy and making communities more resilient against violence. I was really moved by the respect offered to me by His Grace and look forward to our extended meeting. It had me thinking about when my grandmother made me sign up to be an acolyte. I wasnt happy that my Saturday afternoons would be spent cleaning the church, polishing the brass and preparing the space for Sunday worship. After the first Saturday, I made up my mind that I wasnt going back. I expressed to my grandmother that an acolyte was a servant and she simply said YES a servant of the Lord! I asked her why she was punishing me with this responsibility. She simply explained the true meaning of service and suggested that I approach my new role with an open mind and a humble heart. She said I should consider it an honour. My face turned sour. Put a smile on your face she said because your blessings will be bountiful later in life for doing the Lords work. LOL. The things grandmothers say...but as I walked away from my conversation with Archbishop Fr. Joseph Harris...all I could think about was my grandmother, the true meaning of service and an acolytes reward...
Posted on: Sun, 01 Jun 2014 14:42:12 +0000