It was 2010 when I made a trip to the Crescent City for my last youth ministry conference of my 22 years in Catholic Youth Ministry. Me and our parish team had a chance to go to dinner at a restaurant on Canal St. Afterwards, I insisted that we walk up a block and then into the French Quarter via Bourbon St. I told them that this is where Jesus would walk, and so should we!
Now before you give me a hard time for rationalizing and making up a reason to justify my good time in such "sinful" place, please try to understand how my heart works... Love needs to be brought INTO the world, and that particular street is a pretty good example of the world we live in... Everything and anything you could want! The goodness of people and smiles and great food, coupled with everything you've ever heard about Bourbon St. With that said, we had a good night, and God did some very great things because of that trip, but my lasting memory will forever be the feeling of knowing that my Lord walked with me and my friends into the hearts of many many people that night... A simple "ministry of presence." (Thanks for the term Michelle)
So to see the Cross carried through the Quarter tonight in Fox TV's presentation of "Tyler Perry's The Passion" was thrilling, meaningful and exactly what this heart needed to enter this coming Holy Week. The Lord has entered "our world" this week via New Orleans, and so I suggest He has come to love us ALL... In our goodness or sinfulness, and in spite of our smiles, worries and fears. No matter what... Love has come!
- For Arlene, Betsy, Amanda, Paula Pat and Karen
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