Celebrating Lent with a Bishop, Rabbi, and Imam

“All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.“Acts 2:44 - 46

This Lenten season feels particularly challenging as the weight of daily world and national events can easily distract Christians from preparing for the good news, beacon of hope and comfort of Easter and Jesus’ resurrection.  It is also an opportunity to look beyond our own faith tradition to open our hearts and minds to those who also believe, but maybe not precisely what we believe. They are devout believers nonetheless!

I was humbled and struck by the interfaith beauty of a special Iftar dinner during which our Muslim brothers and sisters broke their daily Ramadan fast with prayers from Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, a lay leader of St. Ignatius of Loyola Church and Imam Hüseyin Alvanmis, who beautifully sang dua prayers.

At my table, Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski initiated a poignant after dinner discussion of how we use prayer in our lives. When we randomly seated ourselves, little did we know Muslims born in Turkey, US born Christians and an Australian born Jewish man who would marry a Rabbi would be reflecting on our very similar prayer habits and sharing some very personal stories of triumph and defeat. Eight strangers of three religious traditions brought together by God. The Holy Spirit was with us!

All the believers were together and had everything in common as they broke bread and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.

John Hupalo

Former Deacon