He and I have little in common. So how do the two of us get along? Full of concerning emotions, lots of laughter and life’s appreciations. Lunch happens now on a regular basis.

He and I have little in common, yet so much connects us. I believe the word is called “life.” It’s that spiritual organ that’s wedged between the liver and the stomach. Trust me on that. It can be sleepy sometimes, but it’s always living and alive, ready to quiet, guide, inform and act.

Two parishes ago, I wrote in the weekly bulletin inviting any parishioners to a free lunch to get to know each other. One thousand one hundred families and one person responds, and he insists on treating. Go figure.

Over Bloody Mary’s (and its obligatory chaser) and lunch, we share our family stories and current political happenings and exchange health concerns. Of politics and health, I thought I topped his, but he always seems to think that he’s winning.

He makes good political points, and I listen, not always in agreement but hearing what he believes. Today it was talking about the two “p’s” of politics. He says the platform wins over the person. I responded that the person is the one defining the platform. He disagreed. (You can’t be a priest without considering personhood in anyone’s character and actions.)

I got to know his family. Hearing about losing two parents in two years and was asked to offer an anniversary service at his son’s grave after a stupid motorcycle accident. All of this is coupled with his happy family stories and sprinkled with my family and friends’ adventures.

We quietly eat, only stopping when new thoughts pop into our heads.

It’s both a sampling and a microcosm of our larger sad societal picture. There is no meeting of the minds. Never will be. It is truly, a meeting of the souls for good conversation, food, and brotherhood and then suggesting solutions.