An astonishing colossal surprise : Straight from Heaven

When the almighty wants to show his Prowess, he will.  And he would plan it so meticulously and spring a surprise that you would be caught unawares.  That’s what happened to me today. I cried in ecstasy and wondered if I really deserved this special treatment. 

So, I get a call from my Parish church, where I used to teach Catechism in Sunday school.  I had to discontinue the classes due to my surgery and I moved out of the Parish Council too, for the same reasons.  The request was to do a reading during mass, as it was our church feast day.  Why me, amongst all the parishners who total around 2000 families? Ours by the way is one of the largest parishes in Chennai.  J and I are celebrating our 25^th anniversary this January and incidentally our Parish church was built 25 years ago and it was the silver jubilee feast. our anniversary is on 30^th January to be precise, and church has these records.

(In a Catholic church, that I belong, a holy mass is an act of worship, usually conducted by a priest, and includes readings from the bible read by the laity, members of the church congregation among other forms of worship and adoration)

Now "reading" during mass, especially something like a feast mass means practice and I have no time, since I am travelling tomorrow.  Yes, a travelogue on its way.  I refuse diplomatically, but the church insists.  Finally, people in the Parish council decide that I do not need practice, so all I had to do was reach church 30 minutes early.  I had no options, but to agree.

At church, J strategically picks one of the middle pews, to inconspicuously merge with the crowd.  The plan was to join him after my reading.  The council members look surprised seeing me alone and they want J, as we have special chairs to sit in the front, close to the altar and seen by the entire congregation.  We also have special responsibilities, like accompanying the priests for lighting the lamp, being the first ones to do the offertory, and finally as a couple give away gifts to the visiting priests. The offertory itself was quite symbolic, we had to offer two saplings.

I had to start the feast mass with the Introduction reading and I see there is an entire presbyterate coming in procession to the church and finally followed by the Archbishop himself. Midway during the service, with more than 1000 people participating in the mass, I begin to feel overwhelmed.  

There, slowly it was unfolding in front of J and me.  None other than the Lord himself, had planned it out for us and humbled us more than any words.  It looked as if, the entire congregation had gathered there just to celebrate our Silver Jubilee.  Even our wedding wasn’t this elaborate and grand - A Bishop's mass is exceptional and there we were amidst all the action, and feeling special. I had no clue about all this till I walked into the church. Many wishing us and many asking us if we really are married for 25 years, or just seeking some attention.

When the Almighty himself gets into action, the planning is precise and the surprise is colossal and I realise humbly it astonishes you no end.