Monday of Week 15 in Ordinary Time
Exo 1:8-14,22
Mt 10:34-11:1
“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Some time ago, I scurried into church and slid into a pew, just as Mass was about to begin. Traffic in Los Angeles is not to be scoffed at! Secretly jubilant about making it on time, I crossed myself and reached for the hymnal – and that’s when I noticed her staring angrily at me. Her with the perfect perm, pursed lips and fierce eyes. She glared ferociously at me and shook her head from side to side, indicating that I could not sit there. It took me awhile to grasp what was going on… and then it dawned on me. Pretty shocking really, considering 1) there was lots of space on the other side of her so she could easily have moved over; 2) mass had already begun; 3) we were in God’s house; 4) this was an affluent and educated community — the last place you’d expect to find racial discrimination. I gathered up my things and skulked away, hot and red-faced from hurt and embarrassment. I was mostly angry. I was angry that I didn’t have the presence of mind to call out bad behaviour as it happened. I walked away to avoid confrontation. I walked away to ‘save face’. But for whom?
Racial discrimination is something you read about, but until it happens to you, it’s not something you internalize. And until it happens to you, you have no right to an opinion what one should or should not have done in that moment. When that moment arrives, you’d be surprised at what you won’t be prepared to do out of fear, shock and embarrassment. I most certainly didn’t expect to see it in church. This is God’s house! I expect more of the place I worship, more of the people who profess the Apostles’ Creed and take communion. The words of the prophet Isaiah never resonated more than right then – “bring no more worthless offerings; your incense is loathsome to me”. How loathsome must it be to God when it happens in His house! When it happens in church, it gives us Christians a bad name. No wonder my husband won’t go to mass. Who would, if they had to deal with this kind of hypocrisy? Is this woman aware how poisonous her gesture has been? I am indignant. I’ve spewed, sputtered and searched the Bible. Jesus says, “… whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me”. Well, I dropped the cross that day by not standing up to her. I realize now how blind and complacent I’ve been. Why I ever thought this was someone else’s fight is beyond me. No one should have to endure this, especially in God’s house. I’ve walked around with my eyes closed for so long. I’ve been so blind and so naïve. It had to happen to me, for me to understand and empathize. Well, I see now. I’m not blind anymore. I see.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven” (Matt 5:10)
(Today’s OXYGEN by Sharon Soo)
Prayer: We pray that all who enter God’s house do so with a contrite heart, with full awareness of the solemnity of communion. Our actions reflect not just on us but on God and the faith that we profess.
Thanksgiving: We give thanks for the moments of lucidity that come when we are thrust into painful situations. We pray for God’s guidance, that we respond not with anger, but with wisdom and restraint.
OXYGEN 
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