SUNDAYS...AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

After a long and tiring week, we all look forward to Sunday as a day of respite. We can go out with the family, watch a movie, or just stay home the whole day, resting and telling stories to each other.

This past week was specially stressful for me and for my family, so as early as yesterday afternoon....I was looking forward to today, Sunday. My reason was not just to rest or spend time with family...but I wanted to go to Mass, to celebrate the Holy Eucharist with my Lord and with my family.

So my kids were asking me why I was more than eager to attend Mass today....and this was my answer...."This week was extra-stressful for me, and you all know why. Aside from our usual problems, my professionalism, my integrity and my honesty were brought into question by someone over a comment I made on her wall....she ended up branding me unfairly and I was really offended....For a while I was tempted to "brand her" as well, and tell her what I really thought about her...but, fortunately for her and more so, for me, I did not do that, because had I called her names, I could never take it back, but believe me, the thought had crossed my mind, as she was quite persistent....Why do I seem so needy to go to Mass? It's because of what I thought about doing and to further ask for enlightenment and control, so as not to have the same hurting thoughts again."

They just looked at me...and I explained further...."Each Mass offers us a new shot at redemption, a chance at a new beginning. You listen to the Words of our Lord, you open your heart and allow yourself to be enlightened.... then you receive the Body of Christ and you feel it's cleansing effect..and there is nothing more refreshing. More than anything...that is what I need now."

So we go to Mass, we receive Holy Communion and before leaving the church, one of my wife's choir mate, has a dizzy spell, so we look into her first, making sure she's okay before we leave...then I see my aunt, my uncle and my cousins entering the church, I greet them and kissed them, and led my uncle inside the church...then we eat out, all of us, together with my parents, a simple meal, made special by the love we shared....then we bought Lizzie a special gift, one she really craved for, a gift from her Ang-kong and A-ma (grandparents), she was so happy, she was jumping and hugging everybody.....for that one moment in time...it was a piece of heaven.

I believe Sundays were created as a special day of rest for all of us, after a week of work. I further believe that the Sunday Mass acquires special significance, more than the daily Mass, also because it comes after a week of stress, of doubts, of fears, even hate and anger.....But when you've received the Body of Christ, it recharges your body and re-enlightens your soul!....But this can happen, only, if you trust and accept what receiving the Lord can do to your body, your heart, your soul and your spirit....there is nothing more powerful, nothing more satisfying nothing more fulfilling!!!

So Sundays....and the Sunday Mass....why is it important?.....It offers us another shot at redemption and a chance at a new beginning!

God bless guys! Have a blessed Sunday!