Meeting My Friend Jesus at Mass

Lilia Grundy shares a divine reminder that Jesus is always with us, and that we can encounter Him through the gift of our friends.

What a week 

I was coming off a whopper of a week: celebrating a Centennial Mass, visiting the Relic of Saint Jude, and meeting my friend Jesus.   

Along with fellow board members and my daughters, we celebrated the Centennial of The National Sanctuary of our Sorrowful Mother in Portland, Oregon with a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Alexander K. Sample. He lovingly honored Our Blessed Mother and thanked the Servites order for caring for the Marian shrine, known as “The Grotto,” for the past one hundred years. 

A few days later, I was able to take my mother to visit the Relic of Saint Jude at our parish. Saint Jude came into my life a couple years ago when I stumbled upon his novena, and I’ve been praying to him every day since. I couldn’t miss the opportunity to visit the “Apostle of the Impossible.” It was an honor to place my Miraculous Medal necklace against the glass case that housed his relic to “touch” him. Like loving friends who brings us to Jesus, Mother Mary, and Saint Jude were with me this week.  

Mangonada madness 

It was now the weekend, and we were off on another road trip to the beautiful Oregon Coast to watch my daughters race in their cross-country meet. My husband was driving, my parents were accompanying us, and I felt at peace.  

After an excellent meet, we found ourselves touring downtown Seaside and to my surprise, my husband brings me a mangonada as we were sitting in an outdoor plaza. I love these Mexican frozen drinks, but I often am gently reprimanded by my husband as they are loaded with chamoy sauce (my fave, but filled with high sodium, sugar and dyes).  

And yet here we were, relaxing in a perfect 70-degree, sun-filled day, and I’m treated with this, my cheat drink by the one who often teases me about it. I indulged in the treat and thought about how lucky I was to have a family who really were like great friends.  

Finding friends 

Later after my drink splurge, it was time to head off to Mass. As we entered the church, I spotted two religious sisters in the pews, one of whom was my former eighth grade teacher whom I hadn’t seen since high school. On the other side, I saw one of my fellow board members sitting with his wife. It felt like I was there among friends despite not knowing everyone. 

In my gratitude during mass, the song written by Christopher Walker, “Because the Lord is My Shepherd” began to play. The two-person choir began to sing, and I joined in. The beautiful hymn, based on Psalm 23 really described all the feelings I was feeling. As I came upon the line, “I want to follow you always, just to follow my friend,” I was struck. 

I looked up to the giant crucifix and it hit me. Yes, Jesus is my friend, my best friend. And He continuously leads me to Him through many touch points: other friends. 

While I’ve long considered Jesus a friend, I realized in that moment that the past week had been reminders that Jesus is always with me. All friends are Jesus Himself meeting us where we are.  

"I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father." (John 15:15)

Share your thoughts with the Catholic Mom community! You'll find the comment box below the author's bio and list of recommended articles.

Copyright 2024 Lilia Grundy
Images: copyright 2024 Lilia Grundy, all rights reserved.