My car was in the shop today, as for some time there was an odd popping sound coming from the front. For reasons too complex to explain here I had to bring it in today, but I also had to be downtown by 10 am for a meeting. Which meant that I did something I haven’t done in a long time: I took the bus.
Actually, it was the bus and subway (Montrealers call the latter the “metro”), and it took about 2 hours each way. A friend offered to lend me his truck, but given it had been a while since I used public transport, I thought I’d give it a go.
My impression? Taking public transport is nice enough, but doing it in a Roman collar is even more entertaining (and even eye-opening). I thought I’d get a few odd looks — and I probably did — but not more than the Goth girl with enough metal in her face that she probably shouldn’t stand outside in the event of a lightning storm. I really felt a wonderful kindred with everyone — just another ordinary citizen, rubbing shoulders with thousands of other ordinary citizens going about their business. It was great! It’s too bad it isn’t practical to take the bus more often as part of my ministry — and I will admit, it is a bit of a pain in the you-know-what — but I experienced the time as a real priestly moment: not DOING anything, just BEING, and witnessing to the world in my own way, with collar around the neck, rosary in the hand, and smile on the face.