We Are Family is the signature song of the vocal group, Sister Sledge. Released in April of 1979, it has received countless hours of play in clubs and discos. It has been heard in movies, TV shows, and commercials. I’m pretty certain that I danced to it back in the day with my date at the senior prom. The song describes a happy and hopeful family that invites everyone to get up to sing and dance with them. I think that it should describe us, because isn’t this a family to which we all want to belong? As Church, we are called to be family. As Church, we are a Community of Faith in relationship with one another. And it’s not a matter of dancing at the disco or at the prom - though that sounds fun to me – but it is a matter of dancing with our lives in loving relationship with one another. It is just the beginning of the Ultimate Prom which in the end, we all hope and pray to attend. Unfortunately, families sometimes fight. Brothers and sisters sometimes fight. The song is off key or the dance is refused. My own father had a brother with whom he didn’t speak. There is an uncle that I never met and cousins that I will never know. Although without siblings, I did have a best friend that was like a brother to me. One day early on as kids, just for “fun,” he had me in a tight-head lock for a time. This resulted in his being shoved hard over a low brick wall. For a bit, we cursed and stammered. I rubbed my sore neck while he rubbed his sore back side and we’ve remained friends and brothers ever since. During these times of transition and change at our parishes, there can be tension at times. There can be “head-locks” of sort and all kinds of “shoving.” Where there had been three priests now there are just two that neighboring parishes must share together with a grade school and high school to boot! Mass schedules and other schedules need be adjusted. What is one to do? Well, perhaps begin with a song. I think that Our Lord would have liked Sister Sledge’s song about family. I’m sure that He would have danced to it had the DJ played it at Cana, because He knew about the importance of family. He knew about hope and happiness; joy and forgiveness. He knew about the call to family. In fact, He invites us to be a part of His. We are family – just like the song says. Look! The Lord is already out on the dance floor! Together as One Family and One Church, let’s run out to join Him! Enjoy the dance!
Peace!
Fr. Wilson