I had read somewhere earlier in the week that just as the parents are specifically chosen for their children, so too are the children hand chosen for their parents. This really flicked a switch within me.. Lately I have been thinking a lot about salvation.. I know this might sound strange, but when I was younger (maybe grade 1 or 2), I used to pray to God that my family and I would enter heaven together. I couldn’t stand the thought of being left here on earth without the two most important people in my life. Now, at 23, I still can’t stand the thought of us not being in heaven together, but not for quite the same reasons as I did back then…
My dad had gone on vacation to the Philippines for a little over a month, and upon his return I wanted the two of us to go to confession then mass together. I know it has not been since elementary school that he has gone, and I felt a tugging at my sleeve to bring him with me.
When Holy Thursday came, I knew that there was an hour of confession before mass rather than the usual 15 minutes so I invited him to come along. He was very nonchalant with his reply, telling me that we had already gone on Sunday and he would be tired after work. I remember shrugging and telling God I tried, but He was unhappy with that answer and asked me to try again.
Just some background on my dad.. He’s not the religious type. At the age of 30, he married my mom, and at that time he didn’t even know the Our Father. He was never raised in a household where God was put first, or even acknowledged. It’s not a surprise then that my dad wasn’t very in on the whole God and church thing. However, through the years, I watched as my dad slowly became the man of God that my family needed and I stand in awe at how much he has changed. From previously discouraging me from attending the activities as they were time consuming, to encouraging not only me, but also my brothers to attend all activities. I never expected the day to come when he would be knocking on my door telling me to get up because we have to go to mass together, even if my mom is at work or my brothers are at my aunt’s, we would go, just me and him. However, although my dad asks us to pray before and during our road-trips, is open and helpful to me serving within the CFC-Youth community, attends mass religiously on Sundays and openly talks about God during family dinners, he still stands there during mass without saying the responses or singing the hymns, and it was only within the past couple of years that I managed to convince my parents to come up with us for communion.
Anyways, the next Tuesday rolled in and I was nervous to ask again. My dad’s a tall and seemingly serious man with a deep and booming voice, and although loving and kind, he pretty much has the last say on things. I went to the kitchen where he was eating lunch and I stood there for a good five minutes in silence before he asked me what was wrong. I took a deep breath and told him that I really wanted him to come to mass with me the following day (as I go on Wednesdays for the Novena.) I hold this conversation very close to my heart, and in order to include it here without divulging such a private moment, I’ll simply say that in the end, he caved in. When the next day rolled in, he and I ran some errands in the morning then headed back home. I thought he would have forgotten or might avoid the topic, but just half an hour before mass, he knocked gently on my door and asked if we were still going. I was so joyful the entire drive to the basilica as I went over the process of confession with him. However, we were running late and confession was going to end in 5 minutes. I remember then closing my eyes and asking God to wait for us, just a few more minutes please, this would be the first time in almost 40 years, just a little longer.. When we finally parked, I jumped out of the car and ran to the basilica with my dad taking slow strides behind me. When we got inside, the priest was just turning off the light in the confession box and I asked for him to wait. I watched as my dad stepped in and I in the one further down. I spoke a little to the priest afterwards so that when I had come out of confession, my dad was already standing in the pews. I watched in real amazement as he said his prayers with his eyes closed, and I quietly slid in and began reciting the novena. I continued to be surprised as my dad recited the entire novena with me, and at the end, he even sang Ave Maria. My dad.. singing? It was a beautiful and amazing experience for the both of us, and I came out of this day feeling as though he and I shared a wonderful secret, and I remember we both smiled quietly the entire ride home.
I just thought I would share this moment with other youth.. from someone who has been in the CFC-Youth community for almost a decade.. It may be difficult for some whose parents are not in CFC or are hesitant for their child to take part in activities. These youth may be experiencing a sort of schism between themselves and their family.. but my dear brothers and sisters, I can attest to God’s faithfulness. If we stand firm in our faith and stay true to the teachings, the change within us will inspire others… if we are able to walk the talk at home, our parents will know of the good that this community can bring, and even more importantly, the goodness of the God who loves us all.
I praise God for my earthly father. Lord, thank you for choosing him for me.