On Tuesday January 21 night, a Melkite Catholic priest from Lebanon, Fr. Majdi Allawi celebrated Mass at Jesus the King Church and gave a talk on love and joy. He spoke about the importance of loving those who are not part of one's family. Within the family, parents may not say they loved their children enough nor may children neglect to be with their parents. Everyone needs everyone else. He questioned the boundaries that we erect to imprison ourselves within, thus shutting out neighbours or strangers. Christ reached out to the Samaritans and the Canaanites, considered at the time enemies of his Jewish exclusivist culture. Christ loved all and died for all.
When asked about his journey of joy that he has been experiencing since being baptized at the age of 11, he spoke about the 5-years old kid who escaped from his father's home and became a son of Fr. Majdi in his service. How he describes the washing of the feet of those who seek him he makes a remote picture become close, not only in distance but in time too. The boy's mother kept visiting her son where he now lived but his dad refused. After 7 months of estrangement, Fr. Majdi took the boy to his dad and the father became very emotional in celebrating his son's return. That was the Prodigal Father! The father suddenly saw the beauty of his son in a new way.
In his journey of joy, this man became a father first for his family - He is married and has 4 children. And from there his mission grew to extend to the entire family of his country. He built a number of vocational homes, always having a room for being in the presence of God, a little chapel or church. And today, preaching the Gospel in action, he trods North America and Europe for the Church. People come to see him and get his blessings. This is a journey of joy where the beloved is beautiful.
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