Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Well, this year for Lent, I decided to attend the Stations of the Cross at the church on campus, here in USA. I was just beginning to feel quite at home in the cosy little church since last week. Managed to make some friends at the talk I went to last Wednesday about Spirituality and Food.
Little did I know that Stations of the Cross here was such an awesome awesome experience. I kind of expected a little walk around in the church for Stations, since there were pictures of the way of the cross hung on the back of the church wall. It was a little surprising that I saw the music ministry standing in a line at the front of the church when I arrived. We were all seated, and Stations started. The priest, Father Ed, or affectionately known as "Fred" (Fr Ed), was seated among the congregation at the side and started with an opening prayer and the introduction of the first station.
Then, a member of the choir started singing the song "Knowing You" by Graham Kendrick. Such a beautiful beautiful deep voice he had. It felt like a CD was playing instead of someone singing it live. I was so so moved, so so touched by that song that I started tearing. I tried to hold back my tears, but it flowed. Indeed, at that moment, I felt so mortal, felt like such a sinner, felt so unworthy that Jesus should even die for me, for us.
The second station was equally moving. I teared once again, to the song "You are my All in All", sung by a group of youth. I sung along, with my choked, crying voice. But it felt all so moving, so reflective. It was amazing. I haven't had such a reflective moment plus a touched moment for such a long time.
There were participative moments at every station as well. Although it did feel weird that we were sitting throughout the whole stations (something I am not used to, usually we're kneeling or standing), I felt reflective throughout it all and truly felt God's presence. The participative moments at every station went something like, "If we had been there, Jesus, we would have begged Pilate to set you free. We would have yelled, "Let him go; he's a good man." But we weren't there. We are only here now, remembering." It was different for every station. Somehow, while I was reciting it along with the rest of the church, I did wonder if I would really have done what the passage said if I lived in the time of Jesus. Would I really stand true to my faith at that moment? Or would I be like the disciples, like Peter, who denied Jesus at his moment of suffering? Something for me to think about.
I didn't want the Stations to end that fast, because I was really enjoying the moment. It was great. The beautiful and perfect moment where I was touched....
- Stations of the Cross
by snoopy_lim @ 11:05 AM