Week of November 1-7

Completely obvious. A reflection on All Saints Day in New Orleans…especially when our football team is undefeated and heading towards seeting records this season. We think of Jazz, of second lines, of umbrellas, and fun.

But instead of the search results you get on Google or GoodSearch, let us reflect on the true saints in our day that are marching in… the holy women and men that look just like you and me. The people who work hard each day to resurrect their businesses, neighborhoods schools and public services… those whose perseverance get people around the table to agree on a new plan for a better city.

The holy women and men today in the city of New Orleans are simply the ones who help one another be better people living in this community. We have seen many faces of young and old volunteers as extremely reverential people in this sacred land. Yet, the holy people we would like to express gratitude for are the people first on their block… the people who are initiating change in their neighborhood… the people tirelessly speaking out for those who do not have access to federal funds.

Amidst all our recovery efforts, we truly remain most human desperately seeking ways to improve our selves and our practice of faith. This weekend, a relic of Mary Magdalene’s tours two local churches for the first time. We went Sunday morning to pay our respects to this holy icon, Jesus’ companion and first disciple chronicled to have witnessed the resurrection.

Many may think they went for Mary Magdalene, but what I saw were faithful pilgrims who bring their love and despair, hurt and hope to our God in the presence of one another. Perhaps that is what saints are… people who bring their love and despair, hurt and hope to our God in the presence of one another.

This week, may we allow holy women and men to march into our lives just as much as we march into theirs.