Thank God for Lovers and Drunks

On a Sunday, the last Mass in the Archdiocese of Brisbane is at 7:30 in St. Stephen's Cathedral. Colloquially it's know as "Lovers and Drunks" as both these types of people seem to frequent this Mass.

Lovers, because they've just spent the whole day together and lost track of time (as often happens when love is young). Drunks because they seem to be wandering by after being kicked out of a pub, and want to see what the crowd is about, and have their say if the whim takes them.

Tonight I caught the "Lovers and Drunks" due to poor time planning. "Thank God for this Mass" I thought to myself as I pondered on life, humanity and God before the Mass started.

In a certain sense, the Catholic Church itself is a lot like this Mass. It's open to all of humanity, including those aglow with love to whom all the world is wonderful, and those who are tasting bitterness and disappointments in life, in part due to unjust circumstances, and in part due to their own disordered choices, weaknesses and addictions.

The Church welcomes the cynical, those with soaring spirits, all of us in between, and invites us to unload the burden of our sinfulness, to listen to Christ and be better people, to be there for each other and to remember that hope springs eternal.

Catholics hold that Christ is truly present at each Mass, and as He did when he walked in Palestine 2000 years ago, He ministers to all; the lovers, the drunks and me.

Life