Ascension

Soon, another cycle of busyness in church will begin. I remember clearly it was last Pentecost that changed me the most. Surprisingly, it is not how well the nine-day novena was but how pretentious it was. I remembered sitting through long, boring, draggy, uninspiring mass because the visiting priest is a lecturer and not a people’s priest. I recalled how dumbfounded when certain groups put up the world longest mass offerings that made me squirmed in my seat. From birds to clutches to fruits to thick books and etc etc. It is fine if they are youths or children. But doh….9 days of ‘let’s see who is more creative in mass offerings’ contest.

It was then that I found the courage to question and the ability to laugh at things I deemed ‘churchie’. I was at the point where churchie matters more than intimacy with Christ and that sort of watered down my faith.

God is good. I sat through nine days of boring can cry masses eventhough I don’t really care about it. Finally, one evening, I mustered up enough courage to ask a priest a question. Priests are either, non-committal beings who give you no-yes-no-yes answers that put you back to square one or ‘no need to tell me’ I know how to answer you individuals, the kind who doesn’t listen but keep preaching or they are mighty sour-face folks.

This priest has planted more faith in me than all my five years of doing all the churchie rituals. I suddenly woke up that I cannot be nice Christian and hope to reap rewards. I have to be effective person in society, living for others, not afraid to strike out and be different.

This priest too noticed the same funny antics I had noticed and we both had a good wicked laugh over how funny those offerings were. This year, he has told the congregation firmly that what matters most are not the exterior. He wants substances, not perfect timing masses with most elaborate offerings and zero error animation.

He has spurred me to do a lot of things that I never thought I can achieve. He has opened up ways for me to walk the narrow path like volunteering time at Mt. Miriam, showed me where to find more knowledge and basically, kickstart the worker in me. Instead of the performer, I am now the servant.

It will be Ascension tomorrow. A day where Jesus was lifted up to Heavens. Now, I shall wait for the Holy Spirit to descend on Pentecost and hope to renew my faith, making it stronger. To the person who made me discovered the meaning of Pentecost, thank you, Father. You’re the best.