Holy Week

 

 Last Saturday night I went to Mass, attending a Portuguese mass.  It was merely convenience.  I had other plans for Sunday.  As you all know I injured my leg last summer, which caused me to pause serving as a Eucharistic Minister.  I use the term pause, because I am expected to return to serve.  However, it wouldn't be good if I slipped on the stairs to the altar and dropped all the hosts.  Nope.  So, it looks like my pause shall continue.   Last week I saw an Orthopaedic Surgeon.   I like the best of the best.  He was educated at Oxford or was it Harvard, both amazing universities.  Yes, he is British and was recommended by my Podiatrist, also an English veteran who told me to see him and even return to Toronto to see him, if I left (no one wants to buy my home yet.  Yup Trump's Tarrifs are scaring people here at home.  Good thing I don't have to sell, hey?). 

 Apparently, my limp is not only because of my right side injury but also my left hip.  Yup - full of arthritis.  "I have many military patients."  He stated.  "I'm sure."  I replied.  He gave me options and I chose the one which is to learn to live with it.  So when I went to mass, last Saturday night, I sat throughout the entire mass, except for when the Priest entered, left and when I went to receive communion.  It wasn’t until I left that I smiled at a member and wished her a Happy Easter (I knew I wouldn’t be at that mass, Easter.)  She pursed her lips so tight that a screw driver would be required to open her mouth.  She glared at me (such a good Catholic).  I could only surmise that she didn’t like my sitting or that I was wearing leggings or perhaps I didn’t please her in some way to justify - Judgement.  I accepted that she didn’t know any better.  I remember my military Priest friend and I having a conversation about Church goers:  Me:  “They are such hypocrites going to church and acting so prim and proper and they can be the worse.”  

 Father Ron, “Don’t you see, Silva, they are the ones who really need to go to church.”  

That was years ago.  I will continue to smile if I see her again and see what happens.  It is all about judgement again.  One thinking they know best, one thinking she is better - Clothes make the person (according to the Vice President?)  I do look at how people dress.  It tells me a lot.  It tells me if a person is sad, happy, enjoys dressing up and can he afford it?)  There are people who do not go to church because they feel they cannot dress appropriately. They are poor.   My advice - go to church if you want to.  I studied the various religions and cultures and sometimes, it is more about culture than religion.  Then there are the extremists.  Those who rape and torture and imprison women/men for not being of their religion and refusing to conform.  I am fortunate that living in Toronto, I have been able to provide therapy, to people from every organized world religion or not, probably every colour of skin and people of all status and education.  I have been in awe of what people suffer in conviction of their beliefs.  I have seen Christians opposing extremists and having suffered so much.  That is what our country is about and every person here in Toronto and the rest of the country, should be able to practise their religion and when there is hatred, that needs to be dealt with swiftly.  It is a crime - hate.  So again there is judgement.  I wouldn’t have a practice if people could just be kinder to others and stop acting as if they know what is best for others.  If others are not harming anyone, or anything, then leave them alone.  This is Holy Week.  Try to connect to God.  Find a way to connect to others.  Forgive.  “Forgive them Father for they know not what they do.”  I was told never to quote the bible, but hey, it’s Easter and sometimes well……..Have a Happy Easter Weekend.