"We are doctors, lawyers, professionals, laborers, students, teachers, and parents. We are different but we’re the same, and we’re brought together..." (from the "About Us" page on 610stompers.com) When I read this quote for the first time, I thought it sounded very Catholic. The word "catholic" means universal, so we know that our Christian faith includes everyone. No exceptions. As I have come to learn, a wonderful motto of the Catholic Church is "Unity in Diversity." Think about it.
Ok, so over the weekend I had the opportunity to get home to New Orleans for Labor Day weekend. I had a great time visiting with family and friends in the days following Hurricane Isaac. Though many of the New Orleans homes and businesses were still without power, the priest at St. Dominic's said it well when he reminded us at the end of mass on Saturday evening saying, "We may not have electricity, but we still have the power of the Holy Spirit!" This was certainly true. In reflecting on this power of the Holy Spirit, I tried to recognize where else I felt this power over the weekend. Then it hit me: the 610 Stomper tryouts!
For those of you who are not familiar with the 610 Stompers, please see the below video and website to get a better idea. My words will not do justice to the remarkable energy that this group conveys in its mission, its performances, and its community service.
610 Stompers Video
610 Stompers Website
While at the 610 Stomper tryouts (my brother is auditioning), I watched 20-30 grown men take their shot at a making the group by performing a dance in front of three judges and a large crowd of spectators. These men ranged in age from 20-65 or even older. Each of these men risked public humiliation just to show that they have the energy and enthusiasm to be a part of such a unique organization. One man who was probably around sixty years old said in his post-performance interview that he hadn't felt that alive and energized since he was twenty-five. Upon hearing that, I realized that this seemed to be a theme in many of the interviews. Men were reinvigorated to let themselves be free to dance as if they were children again.-- After all, Jesus did say that we must be like children in order to enter the kingdom of God! --These men, who come from so many different backgrounds, cultures, and professions, just wanted a chance to be unified with other men in a group that tries to make a difference in their community through dance, laughter, and general elation. Is this not the whole point of being Christian?! If we truly sense the Spirit in our lives, we, too, would feel just as energized to make a difference in both our church and civil communities like these men aim to do as 610 Stompers. As I hope you have begun to realize from this and my other posts, the Spirit is equally if not more present outside of our church doors as it is inside!
Below is a video that shows a little bit of what the auditions look like each year. Enjoy.
610 Stomper Auditions
Let the Spirit it move us to action!
May we be ever-faithful, ever-mindful, and ever-joyful.
No comments:
Post a Comment