Thursday 4th Week of Lent
Gospel – John 5: 31-47
A “Valued” Life
Spirit Plate Blessing, St Kateri Center
I miss my St. Kateri community. I miss my native brothers and sisters. I miss crowding ourselves into the chapel on a Sunday morning for Mass. And I miss our community potluck meal afterwards. While I can’t be there for every event, I do try to get back for Mass and meal once a month. And that serves as a good reminder of the values that define my St. Kateri community.
I think that I miss that simple community meal the most; it speaks volumes to me about the community and about the values that should define our lives. I said a ‘simple’ meal but actually it’s more of a constant miracle. Jody, our director, provides the main course. And that’s it! All the rest – sides, salads, pasta, dessert, bread and drinks - all of that is left to the community. Bring something to share! We never know how many people will come! We never know what they will bring! Ginger always calls it a “loaves and fishes” event! Somehow, some way there is not only enough for everyone; there is always enough left over for people to take home.
But there is more to the meal than just food. We always start with prayer – giving thanks to the Creator! We offer a ‘spirit plate’ containing a bit of each food to pray over and then gift that food back to the earth. And when it’s time to eat, we make a line in the kitchen to fill our plates. Aah, but not so fast! We don’t serve ourselves first. The elders never get in line; they never get their own food. They stay seated and we serve them first, out of love and respect.
That ‘simple’ meal tells me all I need to know about this community and about their values, values that extend well beyond the meal. They are lived-out values called the Seven Grandfather Teachings! They are: Honesty, Truth, Humility, Love, Wisdom, Courage, and Respect. They define us, shape us, guide us. I see them lived out in this simple community meal and in their daily life.
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