The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
Unlike the Italians, not everyone sees the pope every day. But there, on the St. Peter's Basilica steps at a papal audience, Pope Francis surprised me. My professor tapped my shoulder, pointing behind me: "Look James, he's there."
Blink.
Suddenly near the cheering thousands, the Popemobile zipped by carrying the waving pope. He kissed babies, blessed newlyweds and even listened to a marching band. In the September heat, I waved back with the tiny blue kid's ball cap given to me by my professor (Professor: "James, this Italian sun is hot. You're turning red. Wear this ball cap I found on the ground." #Humility). Thousands gathered that day for a papal audience, the longtime tradition for the pope to meet with the people. Each has a message by the pope, prayers and songs in several languages. A highlight is also a special papal blessing for religious articles, like rosaries and holy medals.
Like my own James-sized ball cap, I also forgot everything holy. I realized I had nothing. The rosaries, saint medals, my pilgrimage cross were all far away at my apartment when I saw people fishing out their own.
I sighed and covered my eyes. A long blink.
Then I heard the Our Father in Latin. I recognized those words. Pater noster…
A longer blink, a longer sigh.
Then, an arm suddenly lifted me up. Now standing, I heard the papal blessing, also in Latin. I know these words too…
With nothing to hold, I dropped my arms to my side in abandonment. A silent, but focused prayer.
My bleary eyes saw my professor smiling at me. "Look James," he said. "You're here too."
Blink.
In that moment, I thought about today's Psalm 40 response: "Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will."
The psalmist’s cry is a daily lesson for me. The call to authenticity and faithfulness is an incredible challenge when it meets the noise of an endless scroll and the news ticker.
But here’s the truth: we don't need everything we have, no matter how beautiful, shiny or Italian. Truly, God wants us to be here and present with Him. Right now.
In each Sacrament, at each Mass and even in the soft prayers of everyday moments we have the chance to say: “Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.”
James Ramos is a journalist and lead designer at the Texas Catholic Herald. His stories and photos are regularly found in Catholic News Service, Columbia Magazine and other publications. Follow his work on Instagram and learn more about him at plusjames.com. He’s also great a high fives and group selfies. Say hi on Twitter sometime!