I was invited to go to Madison Square Garden for the mass with the Pope by Msgr. Marino. I have been to MSG for many concerts and basketball games since I was a kid as I am sure many of those present had been. Now MSG was being used for a different reason.
A few days earlier I was sitting on my stoop in Brooklyn looking up at the ray of light from Ground Zero, shining up out of the still deep, deep wound, towards the heavens, reminding us all of the tragedy many years back. I was moved, feeling it all again. The light reminded me of that song Fr Carron quotes, about that part of us that cannot be eliminated by anything. Why shine this light to the heavens if not only for memory, but for a prayer to an unknown hope, a begging for some way to make sense of a fragile existence made more dramatic within this huge metropolis.

The Pope's visit somehow seemed an answer to the cities silent desperate prayer and mine as well. MSG is in the center of the city and its people and streets; in the center of life and its circumstances. He came to us where we live. I was as usual tired and weary and a little bit alone, something I have been feeling more and more lately, but He came anyway to gently inflame my soul and embrace me so much that I was completely surprised by a tender joy as the simple and beautiful Liturgy progressed.

He spoke about being a light in the smog of the city, of seeing Christ in those left out on the outskirts of the city, but that in each other, Christ was alive in the city. It almost seemed a soothing balm for the city and the Church that has been through so much challenge to believe in anything anymore. He has the capacity, like some that I know or have known, to speak as if speaking only to me, as if I was the only person there. His presence gave so much more beauty to the music and the setting. The crucifix hung with so much gentle and majestic presence above. You could almost feel Tu es Petrus emanating from this Holy Form. Cardinal Dolan was fantastic in his exuberant joyful welcome. We stood and cheered all together as the Holy Father smiled his gentle smile.

Afterwards I saw Elvira and another friend, Ted, of our little community here and we embraced each other in joy, and a few minutes after we were out into the bright city streets. Ted and I went to a bar that was offering free wine and spoke about the experience with the owner who was fascinated. Of course he was hoping we would also buy a drink, which we did—it’s New York!
On the way home I was so excited I spoke to strangers on the subway about this encounter, whoever sat next to me I wanted to express this fire in my heart. It was funny that, as I spoke with a Hispanic woman and an African-American man, they listened with amazement and did not run away as if I was crazy! I called my mother and father and sister and brother as well, all still Jewish. I spoke with David and Jan Horowitz and other friends from the past. I needed to tell everyone I loved.
Then, when I returned home, I thought of what Fr Gius said about how Andrew felt when he returned home. I had a new tenderness towards my struggling family, in the middle of all my temptations to focus on my problems and push Susan and the kids away.
His presence was a judgment, the Spirit helped me to say yes to the love in my life, and not my mood, to be given the great grace to say yes and to go on. The circumstances have not changed and all is still tough in Gotham, but with a Strong Other who is inside all the faces we see and work with! The Pope affirmed that He is there!!!!
Francis brought this paternity and judgment and embrace, and we New Yorker'—so hungry for love and mercy from Jesus, for Love—ate it up!