“Several weeks ago, I had lunch with one of my new clients, a senior human resources executive of an Atlanta-based company. Our working partnership had been very business-focused since the beginning, and I wanted to forge a stronger personal connection, which I enjoy with most of my other clients.
“We made small talk about a number of subjects until our food arrived. I said I was going to say a blessing over our meal and that she was welcome to join me. As I made the Sign of the Cross and started to pray, I noticed that she also made the Sign of the Cross. I smiled to myself and said a quiet prayer of thanks for the opportunity I had been given.
“Between bites of salad, I asked her which parish she attended. She gave me a funny look before responding with the name, then added, ‘That’s a long story.’ I told her I would love to hear about it, and for the next half hour, we talked about her faith journey, how much she loved her parish, her devotion to the Blessed Mother and her prayer life. The awkward business-focused exchange at the beginning of the meal had been replaced by a warm conversation about our shared Catholic faith. I certainly achieved my goal of a stronger personal connection!”
In a recent commentary, writer Randy Hain, Senior Editor for The Integrated Catholic Life and National Catholic Register correspondent, reflected on the Sign of the Cross and the blessing over a meal as a simple and public ac of faith.
To access Mr. Hain’s complete essay, please visit:
National Catholic Register: A Simple and Public Act of Faith (29 MAR 14)
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