i miss him
My faith in Christianity was rekindled when I saw pope Francis visiting Canada to apologize for the Church’s participation in residential schools. It touched me. It destroyed that idea within me that the Church was a dogmatic, unchanging (in the sense that its cruel acts were magisterial), unreasonable and cruel institution. It took me more time to fully reconnect with my faith, though. I won’t lie to you. It wasn’t politics that turned me back to religion. That’s a superficial explanation of my journey with faith. Simple touting of support for gays does not move me. It was the reason behind the pope’s actions that were in tune with Christianity that made me lose my pre-existing convictions. Love, love, love.
I saw a wooden nativity scene with a baby Jesus and I remembered that my faith is beautiful. I remembered my religion isn’t the pharisaic neuroticism sludge I was led to believe. I remembered the Holy Spirit, the rich philosophy of Catholicism, the history of the Church and its implication in science. It’s healing. I remembered that He loves me despite everything I believed in. And He loved the people I love and welcomes them to the Church.
The pope’s actions touched me so much. I remembered love exists within the Church. I started listening during mass. I started visiting mass on my own. I learned about my faith. I read the bible again. I read theologians. It feels good to bask in this light of reason and love. Passion for Christ warms me.
I miss you Lolo Kiko. Thank you for leading me back to Him.