Category: transcendent

“Homilies were often dialogic in those days, so one day I begin with, “What’s the church smell like?” People are mortified, eye contact ceases, women are searching inside their purses for they know not what. “Come on, now,” I throw back at them, “what’s the church smell like?” “Huele a patas” (Smells like feet), Don Rafael booms out. He was old and never cared what people thought. “Excellent. But why does it smell like feet?” “Cuz many homeless men slept here last night?” says a woman. “Well, why do we let that happen here?” “Es nuestro compromiso” (It’s what we’ve committed to do), says another. “Well, why would anyone commit to do that?” “Porque es lo que haria Jesús.” (It what’s Jesus would do.)”

““Well, then . . . what’s the church smell like now?” A man stands and bellows, “Huele a nuestro compromiso” (it smells like commitment). The place cheers. Guadalupe waves her arms wildly, “Huele a rosas” (smells like roses).”

— Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion by Gregory Boyle