“To Each his own” I always like to say….someone said that, but I like to repeat it. And it’s true! And I would never Knock another’s religion…well… I might, if that religion tells me I must wear sensible shoes, a skirt to my ankles, and my hair in a bun; well then, that religion might get mocked by me. I mean Little House on the Prairie called and they want their costumes back! Why is it necessary that I’d need to dress like that to let the Lord know that I love him? (Don’t get me started on the Hale Bopp comet cult..remember the people wearing black suits, athletic shoes and purple shrouds in the mass suicide??!!) Honestly, I think God would much prefer my style!
One religion that I don’t have any knowledge of, but fascinates me is Catholicism. I do love how dedicated the catholic people are; and the formality of everything regarding their beliefs, and their commitment to other catholic folks. I am completely fascinated by the Rosary. One of my dear friends passed away recently, and her family asked me to come to her service to read a story that I wrote about her (see “I am Nancy”). So I took my husband and my sons to her service. It was wonderful to see so many lovely people that I have known from the nursing home and the community. When it came to the Rosary, I felt like the new kid at a new school on the first day! I squirmed in the pew as I tried to get comfortable, and to look like we knew what we were doing. It was startling when a lady started reciting the Rosary! I looked around to search for where the voice was coming from, but it wasn’t obvious. I was completely dumbstruck! The lady reciting the rosary had a very monotone voice, and said the same things over and over again. At first, I tried to mimic the words and look like I knew what I was saying to fit in better; but no one around me was “buying it”, so I sort of shrugged my shoulders to the lady next to me to let her know, “Ok, I give up..I’m a sinner”. We were totally out of place! Just when I thought we were done and I started to reach for my handbag to get up; the lady started up again, and once again I was startled!! Wait..what? Is she starting over again, or am I NUTS? And didn’t she just say that already?? Oohhh…it’s like Deja Vu! It continued over and over again. I started to feel stressed out, and thought, “Oh my gosh…we’re never getting out of here!” My mind was racing! Then suddenly David (our youngest son) pulled on me and whispered,”Mom, what is that lady saying?” and I replied, “David I have no idea”. We stood sat there in a daze as things started up over and over again. I was starting to sweat! Did I miss my time where I was supposed to go up and read my story about my friend? I couldn’t concentrate as the waves of the rosary pounded the shore over and over again. I kept thinking, “I don’t get it”, and “Are we on candid camera?” I have always heard of the Rosary, but had no clue what it involved…well that’s not true…I have seen the cute “necklace” type rosary thing on many occassions and always think, “Boy that would go cute with my black cashmere sweater”, but alas…that’s not just some cute catholic jewelry. The Rosary I have since learned, is basically a way to thank and to pray with God; it helps keep certain principles of the church with you when you pray the Rosary. I think it’s a wonderful idea to have a way to keep these principles concretely with you, and especially when you really need to talk to God! But I have to say, as lovely as it is; I don’t have the patience for it! So next time I am invited to a catholic service, don’t judge me if I look for a seat by the door. My pea brain can’t handle it. Amen.
Recent Comments