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 "I Love Your Shoes!"
Fr. David Hemann
The Monday after Palm Sunday found me at the Chrism Mass celebrating and renewing my priestly commitment with the Bishop and Presbyterate of the Diocese of Sioux City in Iowa. Seated in the congregation were two representatives from each parish to celebrate this day with us.
The brand new organ was resonating throughout the cathedral accompanied by a celestial choir. Sweet smelling incense was rising taking the prayers of the assembly to the throne of God. The Bishop's homily was awesome and inspiring. There was also a bit of the pomp and circumstance that is normal at such events. Don't get me wrong, it was a beautiful liturgy, but some times the basics can get lost in such an atmosphere.
I was sitting off to the side with a group of priests. We weren't quite as important as the Deans, Rector, and chancery officials!
Then it happened! During the homily, I was noticing the shoes of the priests seated in front of me. Fr. Merle was wearing a nice pair of leather shoes. Fr. Mark was wearing black cowboy boots and Fr. Mike was wearing black tennis shoes. Each piece of footwear said something unique about these priests. I then looked at my own shoes. They were comfortable SAS shoes with a little wear on them. Then, strongly and clearly I heard the voice of the heavenly Father say clearly and distinctly, "I Love your shoes!" I knew exactly and immediately what he meant. He found my feet that filled those shoes to be precious and so with all the clergy and laity gathered.
I began to weep as the clear and simple truth of the Father's love and delight filled my heart. At that point, it simply didn't matter what position I held as a member of that body of believers. Any honors seemed as nothing in light of God's unconditional and total love for me. When you know that you are loved by God, everything else falls by the wayside!
As I drove away from the Chrism mass, I asked the Lord this, "Father, before the end of this day, please confirm this message in an exterior way, something about loving shoes! I am not sure where or how you are going to do it, but I just have a feeling you will."
I went to a hilarious movie at the mall, forgetting what I had asked of the Lord. After the movie I had a notion to go and purchase a musical DVD as this also delights me to watch concerts of my favorite artists. One DVD in particular stood out from the rest. It was called, The 60's Rock Experience Live. I went right home and watched it. Some of the ole rockers came back with their now grey hair to sing their hits. Scott McKenzie, who sang, "If you're going to San Francisco…" ended the DVD with a new song. He dedicated it to his best fried Papa John Phillips. Then, right before strumming the first chord he said, and I quote verbatim, "Oh, my shoes. John loved these shoes. That's why I wear them." CONFIRMATION!
Conclusion: As the music, words, gestures, and incense swirl around your head in the liturgy, don't miss the Father saying to you, "I love your shoes."
Fr. David Hemann is the pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ida Grove, Iowa. He is currently finishing his 5th CD, and is the Chaplain of the Catholic Association of Music. More about Fr. David
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