A lot went down this Saturday. If you have friends on Facebook, you must have seen the pictures of celebrations of events like sweet 16's, quinceaneras, weddings, book releases, etc., all taking place this Saturday, 12/13/14.
The last sequential dates most of us saw were 01/02/03, 02/03/04, 03/04/05, 04/05/06, 05/06/07, 06/07/08, 07/08/09, 08/09/10, 09/10/11, 10/11/12, 11/12/13, and Saturday 12/13/14. However, it will not happen again this century. The next sequential date will not be for another 89 years and most people will not live to see it. There are only 12 sequential dates every century, one for each month. We just lived through the last one.
For some people these dates don't mean a thing. But for others, it's a "do or die" thing. This is were I come in! This is why I am so upset. Why?! Because, I did not celebrate the publishing of my third book on Saturday; my girls did not become engaged or much less get married; and we didn't celebrate any particular event.
So upset was I the morning after, that I grappled with getting my pititful self out of bed to get to eight o'clock Mass as I do every Sunday. No, I don't normally have a problem with going to church. As a matter of fact, I relish going to Mass every day. But Sunday was particularly hard for me. I tend to go into a depressive mood every so often, and Sunday morning I was prime for one. I was in a really dark place and I could almost feel evil encircling me. Fortunately for me, I have a God who loves me inspite of my many faults and imperfections. Needless to say, I had a lengthy discussion with God about the "how and why" of things. I'm sure I started the discussion with my bitching. But thank God, He doesn't tire of my bitching. Instead, He tried comforting me as He always does and showed me that I could have it worse. I had to agree with Him, though I was still not happy nor feeling good about my situation, I tried bartering with God. I would only go to Mass, if He made me go! You know what? Somehow God made it appear as if it was my idea to attend Mass this Sunday. But trust me, it was not my idea! And so, I went to the 11 o'clock Mass.
"Light" was the central message of Sunday's gospel—the Messiah is the light who will shatter the darkness that envelopes our world. Read John 1:6-8. I was in a dark place that morning, but I needed to get to Mass to see the Light and get out of that darkness. Through God's mercy, I did! He got me out of that slump I was in and into his house. God is sooooooo smart! Don't ever doubt it for a second!
I'd had this overwhelming wish to see the movie, Exodus, of Gods and Kings, which hit the theaters on Friday. Immediately after Mass, I came home, had a quick bite, and I was off to see the 1:30 PM showing. I made it so well on time, that I found a parking space across from the theater. Aside from a lone gentlemen, for a while I had the theather to myself. And the best seat in the house! And by the time the movie started, only two other gentlemen and one child had showed up.
I had the perfect afternoon at the movies, watching a movie that teaches us that ultimately it is God who is in control of our lives. That was God's wish for me! That I should realize that He is above all dates, above all celebrations, above all the darkness of not having our dreams fulfilled by 12/13/14 or any other date, for that matter.
Your comments are welcome below.
No comments:
Post a Comment