Crosses, anyone?

At church we have this young adult who serves mass.

He has Down's syndrome.

Just like most people who have Down's syndrome,

it is hard to judge just how old he is.

However, I do know by watching him that

he has hearing loss, he wears a hearing aid

and he struggles with walking.

So I watch him yesterday at 8AM mass because

it is what I do.

He very early holds onto the railing to climb

up to the altar.

It takes him a while to get up.

He grabs the huge cross as to be able to carry it

down the aisle for the beginning of mass.

Then I watch how he carefully comes to the railing

to make his way down three marble steps

holding onto this cross and the golden handrails

that line the altar.

He carefully puts one foot down, then the other

watching his feet, watching his cross.

The one thing that never changes?

The big smile on his face.

He then holds that cross in two hands while

waiting for Father Dean to begin mass.

It is finally time for him to process down the aisle

as our church family watches.

He limps holding the big cross but again his smile

never leaves his face.

Father Dean is very patient as he climbs the three

steps once again to place his cross in its

place where it will stay until the end of mass.

Fr. Dean makes his way to his spot and

this adult stands in front of him

waiting to see what is next for him.

Fr. Dean tells him thank you, bows

and shows him where he is to sit for the rest of the mass.

You see, until the end of the mass, his job is done.

May we all carry our own crosses with so much

energy with smiles on our faces,

remembering those less fortunate than us

who still pick up their own crosses and carry them

for all the world to see, never complaining

always smiling.

Monday, Monday....