Much of who we are comes from life’s experiences. Those experiences often define who we become later on. Some time ago, I had a random, but interesting and rather enlightening encounter. It happened one Sunday while on the way to church where I had been a longtime member since childhood. Eventually, I ended up going to this Catholic Church. Occasionally, I wondered what the procedures were for a church like this. Already late for my services, I thought, “There’s no harm in me just visiting to see what happens, right?”. And I knew I could go in because, one place they won’t throw me out of, is a church, or at least I think. LOL! I must say though, I did go in with preconceived and prejudiced notions about what it would be like.
On My Way To Church
I was always late to church. And one thing I knew, is that it was heavily frowned upon to be late. Most of my life, it seems like I’ve been rushing somewhere. To school, to church, to pick up my parents, to my kids’ activities, to meet up with friends,etc.. Just rushing, everywhere! That particular Sunday was no different. But since I’d had quite a “trying” week I didn’t go. Well, not to my church anyway. I was already en route and I still felt like I needed some spiritual connection. At this point in my life, I had begun entertaining the idea that a good talk, words of wisdom, encouragement and possibly even enlightenment could come from many sources and not just the one’s that were familiar to me. So, I decided to go into this church I saw. Let’s just call it, “Christ The King” Catholic Church. The actual name has escaped my memory. The repercussions of getting older, oh my.
There was one thing that was widely known and it was that their Mass started at 12 noon so I definitely wasn’t going to be late! Once I entered the sanctuary, I saw them! I had always seen them on television shows but never in person. The small booths in the back behind the pews were there. The confessionals. This is where the priests speak privately with the members of the congregation about their personal issues and to get absolution. Absolution is a formal release from guilt, obligation or punishment. I’d always seen them in movies but never up close. I walked past the “booths” and found a seat somewhere I could not be seen, as I was quite nervous and I definitely didn’t know anyone here. I believe I fell into the routine easily though. And there was quite a bit of it. Standing and kneeling and the repeating of certain “mantras”. It slightly reminded me of the “call and response” that takes place at many African American churches. Or the 11 o’ clock time period for those practicing Hindus at Mandirs across the world. After I caught on to the routine, I actually began to feel a little more comfortable. I remember everyone being quite inviting as well. I was the only African American person here that I could see and I believe they were trying to make me feel comfortable with small directions, here and there, about what to do next. And although I can’t really remember what the sermon was about, I do remember thinking that it was pretty good and that I was surprised. I don’t really know what I expected but I know I expected it to be a lot less interesting than it actually was. I even enjoyed it. Getting out of your element can be scary and unconventional but at the same time invigorating. It gives us a way to gain more knowledge and tolerance for the world around us and its people. It invites one to entertain another perspective other than their own.
The Communion
It was time to take the Communion. Each row would begin assembling one by one to approach the priest at the front of what I assumed was the altar area. This is the part that I wasn’t sure I was ready for but I dove right in so I could have the full experience. We ALL drank from the same gold challis, one after the next, and the priest wiped the challis each time someone drank. Yep! That Happened! Lol. Believe me, I was quite skeptical, but I pushed on and it turned out to be okay. Then the “cross” motion in front of you from the priest and some sort of round cracker morsel was placed on the tongue, and back to your seat. Afterwards, there were a few more call and response routines and the Mass service had come to an end. Or so I thought.
The Christening
I’d always heard about them but because I wasn’t Catholic or didn’t really know anyone who was, I had never attended one. But at the end of the service the priest announced to the congregation that there was to be a Christening for a family and the church was invited. So even though I wasn’t a member I could definitely wish the baby and parents well on life’s journey while I viewed the ceremony, right? I had always been told that “christening” a child has no merit or spiritual bases. I know now that the idea of this act being “insignificant” to the child is just the belief of certain “sects” of Christianity and that it should not necessarily be taken as fact. However, to me, this seemed like such a beautiful ritual and “nod” to tradition as I viewed parents, family members, friends, godparents etc. along with the priest (their spiritual advisor) all surrounding the child sending and sharing love at this moment in a spiritual “edifice” with water and baptism. It was absolutely beautiful and I was honored to take part in such “a caring” for a child.
Afterwards
I don’t know if this was the beginning of a world of information and exploration opening up for me or if it was just a continuation of what my life had always been, a doorway to infinite knowledge, tolerance and understanding. Ultimately, the things that I went on to discover, appreciate and challenge years later about Orthodox Catholicism and the information on establishing the first churches in the West helped me to understand what I had experienced that day at the Catholic Mass all those years ago.
I decided to continue to explore various religions due to my first encounter at this Catholic Church being so positive. Later in life, my interactions with religions and their practices had taken on more of a learning approach than someone actually looking for a spiritual place to dwell. I remember when I was much younger, I would walk into spiritual places that were different from mine and instead of “taking in” the place for what it was without prejudice in order to have the full experience and get information, I would begin “picking it” apart and bringing attention to every portion of the religion that was different from mine and somehow not as significant or “right”. I’m glad I’ve changed, which was important for my learning. There’s nothing wrong with acknowledging what makes our own personal religions or traditions important to us. I’ve just found that with growth, “inner” development and an ongoing appreciation for diversity, our own worlds expand when gaining knowledge about others, and our thoughts along with it. I now know that I don’t have to negate the practice of another philosophy or discredit it’s worth in order to validate my own. Expansion is key.