The day is a Sunday, the weather looked bright, the early morning sun was receptive, the awesomeness of the day could be felt on the land. The time was 6:15am, you had just woke up from your slumber and you had few minutes to prepare for the 7am mass. You hurriedly took your bath, said a short prayer and got dressed for church. You wore a new designers shirt you bought last week, tucked in a plain black trouser with your well polished Italian shoe.
You were almost set to leave. "Nkechi, won't you go to church today?", you asked your girlfriend who was still sleeping on the bed. 'Honey, I am not too strong to attend mass today, please remember me in prayer', she retorted. You had no other option than to go, you took your smartphone, sprayed your perfume on your shirt and left for church.
"Unto your sanctuary, we have come to adore you Lord, with adorations and praise, we glorify your name...", sang the choir. St. John's Chaplaincy was well decorated, the altar was built with marble, the sitting arrangement was orderly. You had barely sat down at the fifth row from the back when the altar bell was rung. The procession of the celebrants to the altar commenced with the 'thurifer' leading while Fr. Mike (an old priest in his early 60's and also the Chaplain) was at the back. The incense from the thurible filled the whole church, you inhaled some fractions of it, which made you feel awesome. The whole place looked like a 'mini-heaven' to you. The choir were at their best singing different processional hymns mostly Igbo and English hymns. St. John's chaplaincy was the only Catholic church on campus. Gradually, the priest reached the altar, incensed the altar and began the mass. "In the name of the Father, and of the son and of the Holy Spirit." The old priest chanted. "Ameeen" the congregation responded. Every other liturgical rites followed suit.
The first reading was recited by one of the lectors. Sis. Joy (your ex-girlfriend) sang the responsorial psalm. Her voice was magical and all you could think of was your sexcapades with her. You couldn't even focus! You remembered how good she was on bed. The second reading was also recited before the priest read the gospel reading from the book of St. Matthew. Fr. Mike began his homily by singing some songs. Within five minutes of his preaching, you were already sleeping like a helpless fool. The church warden got tired of waking you up. You slept uncontrollably that Peter(the guy that sat beside you) wondered if you attended an all night crusade the previous night. "...and also with you", the congregation responded. You didn't even know what led to the response, all you remembered was that Fr. Mike had finished his long boring sermon. Your spirit was elated. The mass was becoming boring to you.
Next was the offertory time, the choir were at their best again singing one of Jude Nnam's song " Kedu Ihe m g'enye gi Chineke...", you opened your wallet, you searched your wallets looking for that old '10' naira note the old woman that sold indomie to you last night gave you as balance. You had other naira notes with you, but hell no, you can't risk giving it to God. After searching for some minutes, you couldn't find it, you just had to squeeze out the 50naira note from your wallet, you folded it in your palm like you wanted to punch the offering box. You danced to the box and dropped your offering(deep within, you were not happy that you gave 50naira, you regretted not putting the 10 naira in your wallet). The mass continued.
"Earthly gifts we offer thee O Lord, receive us, bless us, shower your blessings upon us...", the choir sang. You joined in the song, in fact, you sang with all your heart. You sang like a saint. Fr. Mike was on the altar doing what he knows how best to do. Soon, Emeka(your roommate back then in your first year whom you are keeping malice with) incensed the congregation after he had incensed the priest. "Pray, brethren, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father." Fr. Mike recited with his coarse voice. The congregation responded appropriately.
The prayers of consecration followed suit. You participated actively like a newly converted sinner. After the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God), the priest said a short prayer and the congregation responded "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof,but only say the word and my soul shall be healed." You also said this prayer although within, your heart was a first class hell!
"... Act of Contrition", shouted Catechist Obi with his cracked voice. Catechist Obi was an elderly man in his mid 60's. He was once a lecturer in your department before he retired.
"...The blessings of the mass was for everyone present, but the reception of Holy communion is for Catholics in the state of grace", he continued.
"Jesu Kristi bu achicha n'enye ndu...", sang the choir. Catholics in 'state of grace' marched out to receive the body of Christ. Almost everyone on your row stood up to receive Holy Communion. You were the only person seated. You bowed your head in shame, you couldn't receive communion because you had dined with the Lucifer himself severally. You remembered you had not visited the confessional since you left the junior seminary, you had sex like you were drinking water, you had dated several ladies, you even had a romance with your girlfriend last night. You resolved not to sin again, you became sorrowful for your sins. The brother Paul that people knew years back has changed. The choir kept singing Communion hymns, the more they sang, the more you became ashamed of your sins. You nearly wept! Just then, your phone bleeped, you checked it, it was a message from Nkechi, " Honey, remember to buy the condom, tonight will be fun". You couldn't believe your eyes. A part of you was happy, a part was sad. I mean, how could you buy such on a Sunday? You wondered. You begged God to forgive you, but you were not ready to quit your old life. Soon, the communion came to an end. Post communion prayers were said.
Catechist Obi climbed the pulpit and read the announcement. You remembered you had staked a game, quickly, you login to bet9ja to check your games.
"Go in peace, for the mass is ended." Chanted Fr. Mike. For you, all you heard was *'Go in Sin, and continue sinning*'. The holy mass didn't have any effect on you, it was just like a usual ritual for you.
Brother Paul, for how long will you continue like this? For how long will you continue to waste your youthful energy in an unproductive life? Who are you actually deceiving? The many years you spent in the junior seminary is now a waste to you. Why has the mighty bro. Paul fallen?
I write you as a brother, I write you as a friend, change from your evil ways. Life is too short. We only live once. Why not quit that ungodly relationship with Sis. Nkechi? Why not go to confession and confess your sins? Why not seek for spiritual intervention? Life is not always a bed of roses bro. Today, you're young, tomorrow you're old.
Bro. Paul, think of your parents and siblings and how they are confident that you will make them proud. Bro, you can turn a new leaf today. It is not yet late. Come near to God and He will come near to you. (James 4:8).
May God help you!
Yours truly,
Your subconscious self,
Brother Paul.
PS: this article is purely FICTION.
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