When I was a kid, Mad Libs were very popular. They were books of single page stories with words missing. You had to write in the words based on something as simple as “name a large animal.” What you didn’t realize until you filled it in, was that the result might be: “I was so hungry, I ate a water buffalo.” The absurdity never failed to get giggles from me and my elementary school pals.

I want to affirm a very specific group of people who are vital to our parish community and I want to challenge the rest of us. If you attend Mass alone, I see you. I thank you. I am inspired by you. I know it might not always be easy—being surrounded by couples and families and groups—but you are faithful and you are there.

In Isaiah 6 and Luke 5 we get a real strong example of the Lord being drawn to humility. In Isaiah 6, the prophet sees the Lord and is convinced he isgoing to die. This is because you couldn’t be anywhere near God with sin and live. He cries out, “Woe is me! I am lost!” His sin is then purged with a spiritual burning coal.

Years ago, I drove the best vehicle I ever owned. It was a used hunter green extended cab F150. I loved that truck. Thing was, I never noticed how many F150s were on the road until I owned one. Suddenly, they seemed to be everywhere. We tend to recognize the familiar.