Choosing the better part….Well, Being Forced to Choose it
The final Mass before the Conclave began with a detour—and ended in unexpected Grace
As I may have mentioned, frequently, things don’t always go according to plan.
In fact, it’s gotten to the point where I’m actually shocked when they do.
Still, I keep planning. That’s the eternal optimist in me.
But if I’m honest, the non-plan usually ends up being better than anything I could have come up with on my own anyway.
And I’ve got the anecdotal evidence to back it up.
That’s due entirely to God’s Providence, and His mercy upon my bumbling self.
Take this morning, for example.
I woke up in a panic, uncertain where photographers were supposed to meet for the Pro Eligendo Papal Mass—the final Mass before the Cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel and begin the process of electing a new Pope.
Thankfully, my friend and fellow photographer Antoine Mekary helped guide me to the right place.
I arrived early. Which is always a good idea...
Unless you’re a worm. In which case things can go badly.
(But then again, in the long run, the worm eats the bird—so there’s that.)
But, I digress.
I was at the right place, at the right time...
Only one problem…I wasn’t on “the list.”
And just like that, I watched my plans evaporate before my eyes.
Faced with the daunting situation of being planless, I saw two paths:
Stand in a parking lot and hope for a miracle...
Ditch the gear and head to the Mass like a normal person.
Easy choice.
That I was realistically forced into.
Thank God.
Because here’s the truth: there’s a time and a place for everything, and what the world needs most right now isn’t just one more photograph.
It needs more prayer.
More devotion.
More Grace.
Particularly now, as the Conclave begins, and the Holy Spirit will guide His shepherds to elect a new Pope.
Don’t get me wrong, we still need photographs.
But we need an order of magnitude more of the other stuff.
And standing there under the domes of St. Peter’s, surrounded by thousands of faithful hearts all lifted to Christ, I realized...
I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
This was the better part.
And I’m grateful I was “forced” into it.
Faith, after all, is often an adventure. And perhaps it needs to be, because comfort tends to lead us to self-reliance. But unpredictability? That keeps us trusting. That keeps us close to Christ.
It may not always be comfortable...
But the things that make us better rarely are.
Stay tuned for more adventures from the Papal Conclave!
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You have my heartfelt thanks for your generosity and support and please keep me in your prayers, and know of mine for each of you. God Bless, Jeff
When Blessed Carlos Acutis Came to the South Bronx
NOTE: This article was written previous to the passing of Pope Francis today. My prayers go out for him and the Church at this time of mourning.
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The International Gift of Life Walk, The MV Dorothy Day, and the Need for Coffee
There are two words that never seem worth saying, no matter how true they are…
That's the big difference in you, brother: you recognize that the gift of faith in you is greater than your efforts to photograph faith in others. It's an important distinction. I wondered if you were in Rome these days (and if you'd add to your Flickr files). God reward you!