Revealing Our Priorities

Dean and Debbie have been members of Saint Joseph’s parish in Jacksonville for many years. They try hard to keep a low profile, but they’re not always successful. That’s because they are true examples of God’s love for all of us.

The Heatons are foster parents. They adopt the children whom, quite frankly, nobody else wants. Physically disabled children. Mentally disabled children. Severely disabled children. The entire beautiful brood sits right in front of the choir every Sunday at 10 o’clock Mass. Their love for their kids is obvious to everyone who sees them. The entire Heaton family, especially the kids, is truly an inspiration.

That’s why what happened this past Sunday was so disgusting.

Clergy are very reluctant to raise the issue etiquette at Mass. There’s really no benefit to it. They risk alienating parishioners. Some may say, “Just be glad I’m even here.” Others may find a more “tolerant” parish, or stop going to Mass altogether.

Well, I’m not a clergyman, and I left my tact at the office today. This instance of disrespectful behavior was so far over the line, I’m just not going to let it go.

As Debbie edged toward the communion line, pushing the wheelchair of one child and holding the hand of another, two people cut her off as they raced toward the exit. They were completely oblivious to what they were doing, and to anyone and everyone around them. They were on a mission to escape the church as quickly as possible. And absolutely nothing was going to stop them.

To say they were disrespectful to Debbie and her children is an understatement. But that’s not the worst. As they bolted for the door, probably having just received the Eucharist themselves, they also cut in front of the true presence of our Lord. Yes, after just receiving communion, possibly with the host still in their mouths, they thoughtlessly and ignorantly barreled through – leaving the Heatons, the God of the Universe, and everyone else in their wake.

Obviously, staying until the end of Mass was out of the question for them. But what was so pressing that they couldn’t stay in their own line on their way out of the church? What was so ridiculously important that they had to treat the Heatons that way? What was awaiting them that was worth treating Jesus – who died for them, too – with such disrespect?

As Catholics, we are told to love, not judge. I take that command – a command, not a suggestion – very seriously. Because I know that someday I will have to account for all of my many sins. So I hope God will forgive me for pointing out the splinter in another’s eye while ignoring the plank in my own. But the Heaton family deserves much more respect than they received.

And so does God.