Destination: Kensington, MD

HERS:
This week's mass was the 5:30 Saturday night mass at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Kensington, MD. Constructed in the 1960's the first thing I noticed once inside the church was the structure above the altar. The church was beautiful and open with stained glass windows in soft pastel colors and seating surrounding three sides of the altar.

Today is the Feast Day of St. John the Baptist, so the Gospel reading was about the announcement to Zechariah and Elizabeth that they would have a son named John. Both Zechariah and Elizabeth were up there in years and the gospel referred to Elizabeth as "barren". And yet, through God, they would have a son. Yeah, that is pretty amazing. John's mission would be to prepare people for Jesus' coming. The celebrant, Fr. Ryan Pineda touched upon this is his homily. What is God's plan or purpose for us? I'm having a difficult time wrapping my head around this one. Sure, if you're called to become a priest, that seems pretty clear. Or, if like John the Baptist, your calling is to prepare others for the coming of Jesus... that seems pretty specific. But what about the rest of us? Why are we here? What is our purpose? These are some pretty heady questions.

I'm really at a loss this week because I am looking for some grand inspiration and finding none. I think this is a first since our journey began in January. So that's when it hit me. What if your purpose is not a part of some grandiose plan? What if it rests in the everyday things? What if it is in our day to day decision making? When confronted with a choice, to serve God or to serve yourself, which do you select? What if it is about being patient when it seems impossible to be patient? What if it is about being kind to someone who makes it difficult to extend kindness? What if it is about sharing our time with someone else when what we long for is time to ourselves? What if our purpose is to be the best wife or husband we can be? The best mother or father? The best friend?

Dinner this week was at a small neighborhood restaurant in Kensington called K Town Bistro. It was an eclectic spot with mismatched plates and antique silverware. I kind of felt like I was eating in someone's home. Lou enjoyed the braised beef and I had the scallops and risotto. The meal was very good and we shared conversation while sipping a fruity pinot noir from Willamette Valley. I'm hoping next week brings some better inspiration, but until then...

HIS:

Did John the Baptist baptize Jesus?  This is the question I am left pondering following the 5:30 mass at Holy Redeemer in Kensington, MD.  Yesterday was the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist – Vigil.  This is a significant day in the church calendar in that we celebrate the birth of John the Baptist.  St. John is a pivotal figure in the life of Jesus and this day is given much importance.  The Nativity of John the Baptist is one of the oldest festivals of the church.  This week’s celebrant, Father Ryan Pineda who is from the Philippines, described the big celebration that takes place every year in San Juan, Philippines on this feast day.  Makes sense given the name of the town.  He remembered that you had to stay away from the town on June 23^rd or risk being doused with a bucket of water.  He forget one year and paid a price…

Holy Redeemer is a suburban parish as you might expect to see in the suburbs but it felt much different.  The complex (which included an elementary school) was shoe horned into a leafy neighborhood and it felt much more like an urban setting with the homes tucked up tightly to the boundaries of the property.  The parish itself was established way back in 1911 with an older church being built several blocks away from the current location.  In 1950, land was donated by BF Saul (a significant figure in Montgomery County, MD) and the church sold its existing property.  A school, convent and auditorium were built before a new church was erected.  The current church building was dedicated in 1963 by the Archbishop of Washington, Cardinal O’Boyle.  Once again, the size and site location of this building is a bit of a surprise.  The church building is a typical example of mid-century church construction and is quite large.  The building is in the shape of a cross and there are congregants on three sides of the altar.

Father Pineda stated during his homily that John the Baptist did not baptize Jesus.  Adding that this is a mystery of the church and we don’t really know who baptized Jesus.  This is quite puzzling to me and contrary to everything I have learned as a Cradle Catholic (that’s what they call those of us who have been Catholic since birth.)  Isnt this kinda how he got his nickname 😉?  Some research seems to confirm my life long belief that St John was indeed the baptizer of Christ.  I would love to hear if anyone has any thoughts on this topic.  Part of the reason for this journey is to learn new things and deepen our faith.  Father Pineda tied the feast day in with evangelization.  A good tie-in, in that John the Baptist prepared the world for the coming of Christ.  As good Catholics we are called to evangelize in the name of the Lord.  To make others ready for Christ.  Father did acknowledge however that not everyone is called to be an evangelizer to everyone else.  God has a plan for us that is predestined while we are still in the womb.  The first reading says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you.”  I think as part of this plan, we need to learn humility and know when God is calling us and what he wants us to do.  I know I personally am being called but I often struggle to get in the game and off the sidelines to answer that call.  Getting out of my own way is one of my struggles.  I know the right thing to do but have a million excuses for not doing it.  Mary and I used to regularly donate blood but haven’t done so in several years.  I have often thought that a good thing to do is to donate time once a month to deliver meals to those less fortunate and yet have not acted on this.  Most people have heard the verse from Luke chapter 12, “from those that have been given much, much is expected.)  I have been given much and I must return some of those gifts and will continue to work on this.  This year’s journey is helping.  Live a purposeful life.

Dinner this week was in Kensington as well.  We had dinner at Ktown Bistro.  A little place right smack dab in the middle of the strip of shops known locally as antique row.  The restaurant was a bit of an antique itself.  When we walked in, the restaurant was very crowded and noisy.  By the time we left, only two or three tables remained occupied and you could here many of the conversations occurring at the other tables.  Interesting what you hear, like the woman referencing the Netflix show Orange is the New Black, but calling it, Black is the new Orange…..Mary had the scallops with risotto and I had the short ribs with risotto.  Both were delicious.  We had a Willamette Valley Pinot Noir called Firesteed.  Mary has only recently started enjoying red wines and this enabled us to share a bottle.  The wine was fruity and light, perfect for a pleasant summer evening.  The food, wine and companionship was perfect.  Another week in the books.  Remember, live life like you mean it.

And we end as always with our Soulfie: