Sunday
I went to Mass today for the first time since Institute. Since Institute!!! I realized about a week ago that that's what I'd really been missing. That connection to God. Much as I might have some major issues with the Church as an institution, I still have the Catholic imagination and Mass is still the best way for me to connect to God.
Anyway, so after this realization I hunted down a Catholic church that has Mass in English. Turns out there's one right here in Rio. It even has a school next door! So I went this morning, and it was great. The priest gave a fantastic homily about praying courageously and honestly, and about how prayer should be a constant dialogue. He even used teachers specifically as an example, saying how you could just say a quick prayer before class. I know it would help me so much, and I can't believe that I haven't been doing that. I've gotten so distant from God, it's a little scary.
We also sang some wonderful hymns, and even though I was only familiar with one of them ("Here I Am, Lord") it was perfect and the others that we sang were just wonderful too. I just feel so, so spiritually refreshed. It's fantastic.
Anyway, so after this realization I hunted down a Catholic church that has Mass in English. Turns out there's one right here in Rio. It even has a school next door! So I went this morning, and it was great. The priest gave a fantastic homily about praying courageously and honestly, and about how prayer should be a constant dialogue. He even used teachers specifically as an example, saying how you could just say a quick prayer before class. I know it would help me so much, and I can't believe that I haven't been doing that. I've gotten so distant from God, it's a little scary.
We also sang some wonderful hymns, and even though I was only familiar with one of them ("Here I Am, Lord") it was perfect and the others that we sang were just wonderful too. I just feel so, so spiritually refreshed. It's fantastic.