STATUS: In A Relationship

Last Sunday, July 22 at The Feast, we had the last talk for the Series "TAGGED". It was a coincidence as the talk "INVITE" matched the prior mass gospel homily which is about "SHEPHERD". Well why did I need to say "coincidence"? Since talk series at The Feast do not usually and exactly go with the Sunday's actual gospel. Yes.

This I like about The Feast, aside from I'm learning from the Sunday's gospel homily, The Feast gives me a chance to enjoy another food for my soul. Monthly talk series have added me the inspiration to come at The Feast regularly. I admire The Feast because they know their audience and they know that people need to hear something that would fit their Sundays with enough scoops of enjoyment while receiving spiritual nourishment. This series "TAGGED", for me, has given me a simple but very profound messages and learning. I guess everybody at The Feast has now realized one special truth in this universe. That is, life is all about relationships.

Becoming a Sunday addict

It isn't vivid in my memory now how I started as a newbie at The Feast.

It was a Sunday in August 2010 but what I just remember with that day was I got invited by a long-time-no-see high   school classmate "Joy". She invited me and another classmate "Joyce"   for a Sunday mass with a talk by I-don't-know-who "Bo Sanchez". Somehow I've heard this name before but all my presumptions are saying that He may be like the typical spiritual leaders in the country perhaps, who just happens to be more famous than the others as Joy told us that this guy is infamous of his best-selling books, well good thing that I have this really high interest for famous people who ironically I'm not aware of.  

Growing up with spiritually-oriented parents, going to mass has been my habit. "Joy" must have not sweat inviting me into this event. We met at McDo near DLSU-Taft and then proceeded to the PICC via an orange multicab (I have this bold feeling that I oppose the first line I wrote in this blog).

Well, first time being at the PICC, I have to say that I loved those doors at the main entrance, it doesn't need a push nor a pull of my hand, it welcomes me with a touch of technology. I have a wild imagination that sensors may sometimes choose people they wouldn't want to entertain. Kidding aside, I remember that I was half-expecting that the event will be done on open grounds or under a huge canopy. Good thing that The Feast is so much aware of the Philippine weather. I have to say this that my body then started to adjust with the place. Aside from the skin-friendly air system, music was very soothing to my ears. This I strongly believe that this place is made for people who just want to relax on a Sunday.

Enough of telling the details, we had the usual Catholic mass by a priest. I presumed that Bo Sanchez was the one to do the sermon, but then I clearly understand that preachers are not priests.

After an hour of holy mass comes the much-awaited talk by none other than "the guy". "Talks" were not new to me since I've been oriented with this stuff when I was younger since my parents were both active couples in the CFC community. I hardly can recall now what was that talk all about but all I know is that Bo Sanchez had an impact on me. I loved the talk and nonetheless, the wisdom I got from it. From then on, I was attracted to attending at The Feast every Sunday.

Sunday has always been the day I was looking forward to every week. Oh man, I was a "Sunday addict", let me correct this, I am. Working as an IT professional in Makati, it's the best day I spent myself to relax, more accurately, to relax in God's love. My Sundays at The Feast have been my soulfood that nourishes my spirit. Later did I realize, that attending the mass is not enough. Being not against with the Church but I believe people need to swallow something deeper inside their souls. I felt it here at The Feast. I felt God feeding me at The Feast.

I have observed attending mass alone when I was younger, most of the time, I do not remember what the gospel was about. There are times that I don't remember what the priest had said. "Pasok sa kanang tenga tas' lalabas sa kaliwa". Well, sometimes, it depends also on how the priest has carried out the message of the gospel. Why am I saying all of these? I just want to point this out that I believe God's word can be understood more if we allot a time to absorb it. Mass plus reflection can do this. I thank The Feast they do this...for us. The Feast offers me an opportunity to get to know God better each Sunday and each day.

With my growth through the Feast, I have this faith to say that I now have a personal relationship with God, better than before. I am not the same person. I don't say I'm now perfect but I admit I'm forever imperfect, but because of God's perfect love, He sees no imperfection in me. I thank God He used The Feast also to be instrument of touching and changing lives. Now I have a clearer portrait of Him and this inspires me every single day. Day by day, I learn to trust Him more and love Him more. The Feast has also helped me to better understand what "unconditional love" is all about.

I've seen how my perspective in life has changed, also how I look at people and situations as well. God really has a purpose why He let me discover The Feast. Actually, truth is He "appointed" it to happen. It's written.