I felt transported back 40 years while being on an island of a neighboring southeast asian country this weekend. 2 hours was the ferry ride that would take you from the island to mainland. Boarding time, 630am.Fingers crossed that we would be in time for mass that Sunday morning.
Only to find St Theresa’s Kindergarden tucked away in the corner of the Street. Hidden from the hustle and bustle of the traffic. Where was the church I asked? Only to be greeted with children playing in the playground and the scrutinity that came from the humble classrooms.
We found ourselves being introduced to the Sisters who greeted us with grace and warm welcomes. “We are here to attend mass and are looking for the church,” I said.
She responded that the Priest who belonged to this part of town had gone to the next city that very morning.
3 cities, 1 Priest, in 1 day.
She brought us up the stairs to the prayer room and said in a gentle voice that this was the best that they had. This was the humble room they gathered to celebrate mass. But a very vibrant community, she added, with praise and worship sung week after week.
That was the Church.
I was reminded of the film, Of Gods and Of Men. This one scene where the Benedictine Monks were living in the midst of a palestinian community and there came a fellow monk from France who brought tidings of hosts and of wine. The look of contentment and awe on their faces as they received the gifts that were so scarce, made them rejoice and their hearts in gratitude.
We celebrated mass without the priest, without the sacrament, that very Sunday. A first of its kind. It made me realize the privilege of our Church, our Sacraments and Priests here in Singapore. What blessings to have such religious freedom, serenity and abundance. To worship and find solace in a place of worship so readily, so freely.
“Because we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are seen are transcient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:18
Behind every face we behold, we find Christ. For love of Christ and the love of each other brings the unseen alive yet again.
Have you wondered what the very essence of the Church means to you?
Jesus said that, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:2)
Sorry typo, the passage is Matthew 18:20
Thanks Henry! Amen!