Chick-fil-A Sunset Reflection
“On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb.” John 20: 1
God often speaks to my heart with analogies. Typically, they are a bit convoluted, as they somehow connect my dog to a Sacrament of the Church. But on a simple day, God spoke to me through witnessing a sunset. Now, I did not set out to watch the sunset. In fact, I was on my way to get some Chick-fil-A.
I was feeling the crunch. It was 5:49 pm, and traffic was not my friend. You see, I needed to get to Chick-fil-A, pick up my family’s mobile order, drive through the Chick-fil-A parking lot without hitting anything, drive home, give my family the food, and get ready for Fiat, all by 7pm! The time logistics were running through my head, as well as the fervent desire to not get hit by the weaving drivers of Union Road. Finally, I turned onto Walden Avenue. I was close! But still feeling a bit like my car was trying to move through molasses. That is when I noticed the sun. It was setting, but shining a radiant gold through the darkening sky, past grey clouds, onto a grey road, filled with grey cars of people whose lives are filled by the grey. But just the presence of this Sun, this strong light, beaming forth into our world, was able to bring me out of myself.
Just like Mary Magdalene, I was going through the dark but stumbled upon the light. Mary stumbled upon the Light of the World when she expected to sink into her grief and anxieties. But Jesus did not let her sink. He called her by name, and in that instant, her entire heart, down to the last beating cell, united to the peace and joy that Jesus desires SO much to give.
St. Therese of Liseux teaches us about the Little Way, the way of being open to Jesus’s love that others turn away, laugh at, and scorn. On that Chic-fil-A day, God shone so gloriously, landing on grey clouds and grey streets and grey people. But He still did it all so that He could shine on me. Pour out his tender Love on me! I assure you, even if you’re having a grey day, filled with grey people on a grey path, Jesus’s Light is just waiting for you to look up to see Him. Once you do, your heart too will be united to the peace and joy of our Most Precious Jesus. Duc in Altum!
Maddy Greene
Maddy Greene is a Young Adult Core Team Member and student at Canisius College studying Human Services and Education. Ever since moving to Buffalo in 2008, her family has attended St. Greg's. Now, with a renewed love for the faith, Maddy is excited to get more involved with young adult and music ministry!
