This is not a post about the many intricate mysteries of spirituality. Rather it is a post about the mysteries people may associate to the way I practice my faith.
I have ceased labeling myself with a particular religious denomination. I grew up in a Catholic environment and became Born Again when I was in college. Now I am back in my predominantly Catholic environment trying to balance my new found beliefs as a Born Again and a good testimony to my Catholic social circle.
I have thus labeled myself as having a relationship and not a religion. For indeed, my faith is built more on the relationship I have with my Maker than religion which I believe is very limited and bounded by the rites of tradition, rituals and cultures.
But to most who do not understand, they must remain completely baffled at how I profess my faith. Take for instance today wherein our office is celebrating the Pagsungko ni Ina. It is an event wherein the image of the Lady of Peñafrancia visits our office annually and people hold vigils throughout the day. There’s a mass and the image is fetched and brought back through a procession to her shrine, which thankfully, is nearby.
However, my relationship is with Jesus. Not with Mary. And so I have since then stopped praying to her and worshiping her. For me, there is only One to be worshiped and that is Christ. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit – One God in three forms. Saints and even Mary do not possess the characteristics of God for me to give them my prayers and worship.
And so, years of education and even serving as a student leader of a Mary organization is discarded, for I now no longer believe in Mary as a worship entity.
And thus explains why me, who attends Holy Mass every now and then, who receives communion then and now, refuse to participate in Mary glorifying activities.
Does this shed some light to my albeit mysterious faith?
