Susan Boyle-ing at 'Theology on Tap'

A group of young adults periodically meet at a Pub in Toronto to consider matters of spiritual significance. The umbrella theme of the community is 'Theology on Tap'.

This last meeting a Judge came to offer some thoughts on the interdependence of Faith and the Law. There were about 90 young people who gathered to explore this topic. We were there with our daughter.

One of the central themes of the presentation is that our society and laws have been formed by a bottom up process - the people indicate how the elected leaders will legislate and govern.

Our daughter was tired from her day and left at the end.
Peggy and I hung around.
Things happen when you hang around...
This is an e'mail I sent our daughter
recounting what happened next...

************************

...As you left I was approached by the woman who was sitting at the table next to us.

I was surprised she wished to engage me...
When I initially saw her I was thinking she could be a street person
- wandering
- in rough fashion
- dropping in
- pleased for the availability of food
- perhaps a bit disconnected.
... See me prejudging
... See me Susan Boyle-ing...

She asked -
Was I OK with the Judge's response to my Q&A question?

I had asked him:
Why do many people feel we are governed 'Top Down'?
*** The Judge had responded - in part:
People with poor attitudes and who are generally oriented toward
resolution by confrontation and conflict and revenge
(estimated to be 15% of the population)
end up in the court system,
and are governed 'Top Down'.
*** Those who work it out between themselves are 'Bottom Up' people.

I was surprised by her question - and responded:
I wasn't satisfied with the Judge's response.

She asked - Why?

I wasn't sure why...
and I didn't know how to say

the 'why' of my feelings...

She began to speak evenly,
saying she was not pleased with the Judge's answer.
Felt it potentially placed poor people
who struggle within the government's 'Top Down' service system
as collectively being people

with bad attitudes.

I was amazed at her articulate

grasp of that possibility.

I tried to defend the Judge
- actually a family friend -
as a person who wouldn't feel that way.
But she remained comfortable in her observation.

I asked her background.
Her name is Marg.
She had been - is - a journalist -
having met with and written articles on Jean Vanier and John Howard Griffin.
And more...

I was now fully engaged in conversation
appreciating
enjoying her insights
and sharing more deeply.

Marg is no longer employed.
Her circumstances and health are profoundly difficult.
She is greatly fearful her subsidized apartment of many years might be in jeopardy.
The building is deteriorating - leaking badly.
No repairs
She is very concerned - no where to go.
No advocate.
No where to store her writings.

She is a Faith filled person.
Knew the readings of the day.
She requested my prayers...
I said she would be included in our morning prayers.
She was grateful.

Mom joined us.
As we talked further we discovered Marg knows Fr Tom.
Even knows his Birthday
...Also knows many others from that time.
Was a part of that precious time...
in the 80s.

I asked if I could make a photo of her.
She said she was uncomfortable about doing that.
She indicated she frequently comes to the gatherings.
I promised her a copy of Tom's latest book.

Our lives move through eddies and streams and rivers
sometimes smooth
sometimes turbulent.
Some lives more challenging than others.

Marg was in our prayers this morning.
She remains in our thoughts.

The next meeting is on Spiritual Writing...
Happy you are planing to be with us.
Love, Dad