As most of us suspected, it was much ado about nothing as “Destination America” did its “Exorcism: Live!” show in Bel-Nor on Friday night. And even though the show had the usual disclaimers: “Our experts are trained professionals equipped to deal with dangerous situations. Do not attempt this at home. Viewer discretion is advised.” there was not much activity – paranormal or otherwise – to be had. I have a theory about that, though. Their mistake is that they were looking for the wrong type of ‘paranormal’ activity in the wrong location.
They should have had their cameras at the Caritas food center as the meals on wheel dinners we sent on their way. Or the Vincent De Paul society meeting on Tuesday night as they worked on getting utility assistance for folks in need. Or the Wednesday morning bible study group. They could have been set up for our All School Mass, as the third grade saints were “Marching In” in their full regalia this past Wednesday. Their cameras should have been following the Thursday evening scout leaders. And our school room Mothers and Fathers as they provided a little All Hallows Eve festivities. And the 6th grade parent chaperones at Camp Lakewood. Or, if they wanted a ‘scary location’ – they could have filmed at our Cemetery on any Thursday, as our volunteers, Ken and Joe, cut the grass, pick up the branches and trim around the headstones.
Zooming in a bit more, they could have followed any number of our parishioners as they care for an elderly parent; or a sibling with mental illness, or a special needs child. They could have filmed a dad as he helped his son with a reading assignment, a mom as she played in the yard with her kids or tended to a sick child.
Their ‘paranormal activity meters’ should have been registering off the charts while bedtime prayers were being said, rosary beads were passing through elderly fingers, or a family paused to bless the meal before them. Dials should have been buried into the red zone as the Kyle family celebrated their son’s baptism; as hospital vigils were kept, as my friend Dave’s family prayed around his bedside as he was passing from this life to the next on.
How strange, this fascination with evil, that had trucks and watchers and newscasters from all around the country unsettling our Bel-Nor neighborhood, when the real paranormal activity – the stuff that makes saints out of the most common of us all – is going on all around us. People being poor in spirit. Mourning the world’s sorrows and evils. Meek. Hungering and thirsting for right relationships with God and neighbors. Showing mercy. Forging peace in a post Ferguson world. Being clean of heart in a world where so much that is ugly is thrown in your face. And, yes, even as we are being persecuted.
Paranormal activity is all around us. Of those who engaged in it – some have the official title like Saint John Paul II, and Saint John the 23rd. Some are nearly there, like Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Blessed John Cardinal Henry Newman. And still others have lived saintly lives that merit them a place with all those who have washed their robes in the blood of the lamb, but they don’t have the official title of Saint. ALL of them have done it by becoming this image given to us by Jesus – they have been men and women of the beatitudes.
So, the challenge of this day is simple. If Destination America showed up on your doorstep and followed you around all day – would they record any ‘paranormal activity’? Anything that looks like saintliness and beatitude? Would they find evidence that indeed, you are becoming more and more like the Saint that God is calling you to be?