Lost at the Beach

“Don’t mind them sweetie, they are just lost” said the Mom to her young inquisitive son after they both encountered a Catholic Mass in session at a Beach in New Hampshire in which my family was attending. The Mom quickly diverted the child in a different direction and the Mass continued on without any further interruptions. 

This somber moment did not darken this amazing annual experience that we have each year as our wonderful Parish travels 45 minutes to a New Hampshire seashore to hold a beautiful Mass on the Beach in July. It is a breathtaking liturgy which transforms the amazing landscape of sand and ocean to holy ground of word and sacrament. Our pastor, channeling his St. Francis roots for love of people and nature, has been able to network and grow the event, providing a true testimony in leaving the 4 walls of the church and providing a witness to the world.

The parishioners eat up the spectacular setting and after Mass, many will skip happily over to the beach stands where they will gorge on pizza, ice cream, or fried dough!  What a remarkable day!  Beach, families, friends, food , and of course,  Jesus!  This event just reminds me that we don’t have to be littered people with grimaces on our faces.  As our pastor points out, “We are people of the Resurrection” and hence our evangelization actions should scream out ones of joy and peace!

It is historically evident that the DNA of the Catholic Church is one of missionary discipleships and now more than ever, we are called to spread the Good News to the ends of the earth. Although on the surface, the beach Mass may not have impacted this mom, it is events like these that help the Church leave the shadow of its own steeple and connect with all people (churched and unchurched) as a reminder to them that there is more to life than this disposable culture.  

But still, I need to give pause to the woman who claims that we are lost and unfortunately confirm that in many ways, she is right.  We as a Catholic institution, founded by Jesus Christ, have succumbed to adversaries narrating our story and retreated when falsehoods and fallacies have reigned. As we remained safe in our sanctuaries, many times we have not allowed the Holy Spirit to change our Parishes or even more so, rekindle the gospel message in our hearts.  We either have become stale in our faith, unknowledgeable in truth, hardened toward people, or apathetic towards evangelization change. 

Still yet, the Eucharist sparkles in the evening sun over Hampton Beach NH and I can’t help but feel complete joy and absolute hope in the present and future of the Catholic Church.  There is a growing energy within the Church where the story of redemption and salvation is being recaptured and reimaged.  Gone will be the days of empty Sunday pews and with it, a return to complete love for God and neighbor. Next as the Blessed Cup is raised and with the Atlantic Ocean in its backdrop, we surrender to a God where we are confident that everything will be okay as prodigal sons will return home, the lost sheep will be found, and the Lamb of God will continue to redeem the world. 

So what should have been done with the Mom who said we are lost? Maybe instead of running for junk food after Mass, we should have surrendered to the Bread of Life and allowed us to be spiritually renewed. Maybe if one of us truly had enough faith, the amount of half a mustard seed, we would have pursued that Mom and invited her to this sacred service. Maybe, just maybe, we could have approached the Mom and showed her that the dirt on our feet and knees matched the same filth on hers.  Possibly, if we had stronger faith and were not lost, we could have gently guided her to the breaking waves of the shore, where we would have washed her feet and then carried her to the place at the table.

Oh, I could imagine the epic celebration in Heaven where one of the Lost Sheep returned home and the lost missionary component of the universal Church was found again. And afterwards for all of us, we could consume large amounts of ice cream which was earthy warranted and divinely received.