Me thinks people are too uptight in church

I made this little owl photo with a verse from Ecc. like four years ago. Four years later, I still marvel at this verse. I think it is King Solomon’s words. I am still as foolish and I don’t intend to be too wise. Like King Solomon said, if one gets too wise, one gets too much worries. So, I prefer to be the bottom of the barrel, the noobs, the foolish ones of the Christian faiths.

Well, words must get around fast. Someone asked me about the course I am taking in College General. Hmmm….how did people spread news so fast? Hmmm…how come I don’t hear people asking me how I am or how I am coping when they know I was a bereaved mom? Why no one asked me about my deceased son? But why are they so interested to know if I am studying psychology or philosophy? Bah.

Frankly, I think people are too uptight when they are in the presence of the Lord. Why do they have that sombre look like they are attending funeral mass most of the times? Don’t they want to appear happy and joyous to have supper with the Lord? Don’t they wish to show everyone how happy they are when they witness the Risen Lord and be in communion with him?

Yesterday, I carried with me a grin on my face as I approach the communion minister. I know I am supposed to look so sad, so about to burst into tears, so about to slap and whack self for being a sinner…etc etc… because I am going to partake a piece of the blood and body of Christ. But I was laughing earlier on and I was happy because the following week, my second son is going to celebrate his confirmation mass.

(cemetery where Sir Francis Light, founder of Penang grave is)

What’s there not to be happy about? I am the chosen one by Christ and I have successfully brought up HIS children well, so far. Far at the other end of the pew, I saw Doc C. He probably planted the seed of faith into my sons, especially this second son. Second son was terribly distraught with the death of my son Vincent. He was 10 years old and at the funeral, he was inconsolable. Doc C who attended the funeral and who is also son #2 trusted paediatrician talked to him about angels and heaven. Son #2 did not go through first holy communion because he was passed the age. So, celebrating the confirmation is a joyous milestone in his Christian life. *makes mental note to SMS Doc C to attend the mass*

Ok, so I was carrying a happy face and the communion minister looked like he was reluctant to give me the body of Christ. I stood there, he stared. He held the wafer high. He stared. I looked happy. He keep staring. Finally he gave it to me. Amen.

I wonder why are people suppressing their laughters in the church? Yesterday, Father Fabian’s homily was awfully funny but darn biting on the conscience. Since it is funny, I laughed, ok? I was on OHP duty and my seat is higher than the rest because of the raised platform for the cantors and organist. So, I have bird’s eye views and I know not many people are amused to hear things like, “God died and appointed the politicians….” Neither are they amused with the make belief story or parody of Moses being a lazy man except to pray and never bother to part the sea. Father Fabian is trying to get the points across that we Catholics cannot just continue to keep praying and do nothing. We need to get down to do the dirty works like how Moses and Jesus did. We cannot write letters to the editor of The Herald and whine that we do not want to be bothered with politics but only want to pray and do religion. Many of our nerves were frayed due to the latest ISA detention of the Suaram activist.

Well, Martin Jalleh always remind the youths and their parents that Jesus can be happy and hence, we do not have to be sombre all the time. So, chill lah, laugh a bit, can?