As we celebrate the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, the Peoria Police Department reminds residents that most fireworks are illegal within the City of Peoria. Only novelty items such as sparklers, snappers, and party poppers are permitted.
People ask why I still go to game when the #Cubs team stinks. The answer is simple. I love the Cubs, I love going to Wrigley Field, and I love my fellow Cubs fans. I wish more than anything they were playing better. But either way good sharing laughs with people I love
For the most part, I've been apathetic towards the "Sign of Peace" debate on Catholic Twitter. I personally have been doing whatever my mood at the time dictates, some Sundays I'd give a head nod, others a handshake.
But I've recently realized that it's not really about me. Once I stopped being self-absorbed and really observed my fellow church goers, I'd notice people attending Mass alone, usually old people, and when they would turn around for the Sign of Peace they'd do so with a sort of yearning for physical touch.
I feel guilty for not realizing this sooner. But many people live alone and are touch-starved. Unless they have pets or family who visit often, some people haven't had touched another human being for weeks or even months.
The Catholic faith is a faith that integrates one's body, mind and soul together.
The "Sign of Peace" in the Mass is an opportunity for them to physically interact with other members of the Body of Christ.
So not only are they spiritually fed by Jesus in the Liturgy and the Eucharist, but their body's physical needs are met too.
We tend to always think about what we can take from the Mass each Sunday. From this point on I will personally be more intentional about "giving" myself to Christ and his Body on Earth.