Mary Jayne Cassidy » Travel, Development, Spiritual Growth

For more than 2 years, I’ve been walking past the Cathedral of Saint Matthew on Rhode Island Avenue on my way home from work. From the outside, the church just looks regular. Nothing out of the ordinary. Old brick building sitting between two office buildings. Usually one or two homeless people hanging out on the steps or on the street in front of the steps.

One evening last week, I was walking home around dusk, going my normal route past the church. The doors were propped open so I peeked inside somehow feeling like I was spying on someone’s house. I stopped and realized what I had been overlooking for so long. The inside of this church was stunning. One of the most beautiful churches I’ve ever seen. Full of life and color. What I noticed first was the cross. I was taken aback by its simplicity. And the magnificent organ on the side. This church is in fact … grand.

There were several people praying. Several people meditating and being quiet. Several homeless people sleeping on the back pews. I could hear the pews creaking as people sat down. I felt peace. And that’s when I realized God was giving me an attitude adjustment. A new perspective … which I needed that day.

I’ve been living abroad the last 5 months. While I was gone, the “Occupy” movement started in New York, Washington DC, and other major cities across the U.S. I must admit I don’t really understand the purpose of this movement, but I became a little more informed today by visiting the Occupy DC at McPherson Square and reading The Declaration of Occupy DC. I guess I sort of get it a little more, but I plan on attending the next general assembly meeting to understand it better. Apparently, I would understand it perfectly if I knew the last 30 years of U.S. History.