Saint Christopher - Detroit

Above the entrance of Saint Christopher Catholic Church is a stained glass window depicting the history of travel. Look close and you will find a bicycle, an airplane and of course an automobile. The window relates to us the history of mankind through images of mankind's modes of travel. Inside the church, during Mass and through the reading of scripture we learn about another history; the history of salvation.

Mass on this damp weekday morning was anything but dreary. As the congregation sang our voices cut through the mist and rain outside and our hearts did lift up to God. And then, during the homily, the priest asked us a question. He looked out across the flock scattered amongst the pews and asked "why are you here?"

I was shaken when I heard the question. "Why are you here"? He was asking us why we attend Mass. Days and weeks after being asked that question I am still thinking of the many answers. Is there only one reason why we attend Mass? Is this reason different for each person? Do we attend Mass solely to glorify God or do we also attend Mass because some days we despair and some days we are joyous and even some days just bored. I am not sure I could ever truly answer this question and perhaps that's the reason the priest asked us this. The question is not meant to be answered.