Back in the day when most people thought the universe wasn’t all that big and that earth and the sun sat pretty much in the middle, it’s wasn’t too hard to imagine how God could have created it all.

Back when she was Norma Jean Baker, not a lot of the smart money was bet on the woman who would become Marilyn Monroe. And who imagined that Bob Dylan, standing on a soda crate singing with his strange alternative voice at local music festivals, would one day be a phenomenon?

The people stood there staring at Jesus, and the ringleaders made faces, taunting, “He saved others. Let’s see him save himself! The Messiah of God—ha! The Chosen—ha!”

Soon after Pope Francis was elected, it was reported that he sometimes went out at night in clerical—but not papal—garb to minister to the poor of Rome. “Vatican sources” said it wasn’t true, but there is something thrilling about a person of power who steps out of their usual role in order to experience a marginalized human condition.

Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.

May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise, and love.