We had been going to the 8:45 AM Mass on Sundays. At first, I thought it would be quite an adjustment from the usual 5:30 PM Mass time that we religiously have been going to for years, as this would equate to waking up early on Sundays. It should not be an issue, but it is common for us to stay up late on Saturdays. We love to watch movies on Amazon Prime. Sometimes, it would be the recorded Hallmark or Lifetime movies on our DVR.
So the switch with the Mass time was something I had to consider very thoughtfully. I don't like arriving late at Mass. I do not like the uncomfortable feeling I would get because we got there late, even just by five minutes. If it has gone beyond the five-minute range, we would go to the next one. It has been a habit for us. Well, we can’t be late for God, right? Besides, I prefer to spend brief moments with God in silence before the Mass starts.
There were times when we got to the parking lot, and we turned around. The only reason we still went in and we were late by five minutes was because there happened to be parishioners still going in. I find the courage to tell God that we were not the only ones late. It’s like, “I can explain, dear God…”
Sometimes, it was finding a parking spot, or that traffic was a little jammed up than usual. And to be frank, it was because we underestimated the time. These are just some of the possibilities why some arrive late, as there are things outside of our control. I am not bothered anymore when people arrive a little late. I just thank God that they made it there where God wanted them to be.
Quite contrary to what I thought would be like for us, adjustment-wise, going early on Sunday morning instead of late in the afternoon that we adjusted fairly well. This proves that if we want something to work, it will work as long as we commit ourselves to it. Happy to say that we are now early-morning Mass goers, by the grace of God!
There is nothing wrong with going to the late afternoon Mass, but I know better that our schedule can accommodate the early morning Mass. I think it would be like giving God the attention He deserves, especially on Sundays. I'm sure there will be times we would still find ourselves at the 5:30 PM Mass, but only when the morning Mass is not doable for valid reasons.
Today, at church, we got there just before the Mass was about to start. During the singing of the "Gloria," I ran this out-of-this-world imagery that perked up my singing, and that’s fair to say my voice isn’t melodic. But this I say, I've never allowed my voice to prohibit me from singing at church—where the only one to sing to is The Father.
Yes, it is the only place other than in our home where I should have the liberty to sing without having to worry about being made fun of. That's also despite that one time a fellow parishioner turned her head to me during the singing order of the Mass. Oh yes, her cute little smile did not escape me. No, I didn’t take it negatively. Fine, maybe a little. In fairness to her, since there are two sides to the coin, it was possible she admired my courage. I guess. I'll take that any day. It requires a ton of it when you know your talent is one other than singing. Am I right? I thought so.
Now back to that imagery I mentioned above. There I was, with that sweet smile that didn't want to fade—more like a little girl in a choir singing joyfully, but not in a way disruptive to the rest of the choir, just happy that I got to be a part of it.
So what was that image that floated in my head behind that endearing smile, I thought you might ask? Well, I was in heaven, simultaneously singing the "Gloria" with the parishioners gathered at church! Pretty ambitious, I know. But it did enter my head. So, with that in mind, how could I not beam with a smile when everyone in heaven was happy singing it—like a prayer for the people still on Earth?
Pretty fancy, but hey—it is free to explore the heavens with the power of the imagination. The way I see it, it's like a magical vessel that we steer to wherever we want it to take us. Such as places that are otherwise a challenge to explore given the spatial limitations present in the physical realm. It's like having another set of eyes allowing us to see beyond the confines of this world—like in the heavens, for instance, or at least close to what we think it could be like up there.
Yes, it's presumptive to claim that there's a place waiting for me in heaven, but why not? Besides, I can't blame myself for conceiving that imagery because that wild imagining was then later validated during the recitation of the responsorial psalm:
"You are my inheritance, O Lord." 🙏🏼
What else can I say? Pretty suggestive alright! It's not a habit I formed imagining heaven, by the way. But when I do, I leave the place with a smile, with much of the heavenly stuff to look forward to enjoying.
Now is your turn to share your stories ingrained with a heavenly touch. Shoot me a message, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Many blessings!
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