Your personal paradigm reflects not only your culture, family and life experiences but the ways that you, because of your unique temperament, have interpreted and responded to your environment. Our openness to what is new affects our view of the world.

For years I have been going to Sunday Mass for compliance. I have been afraid of the wrath of God so I have been going to Sunday Mass. But Sunday Mass at Novena Church in Singapore this September was an experience. It was inconvenient to climb some steps with my cane to enter the church but the usherettes were so caring and they  warmed my heart.

The people waiting for Mass to start were reverent enough, so unlike the conditions in Manila churches. The giant screen on top of the altar made sure the people knew what was going on.

Even the homily was short enough. I must have been primed. When a second collection was announced I didn’t bristle.

Throughout the Mass I wasn’t inclined to recite my litany of petitions. I listened to the priest and the responses of the faithful. I felt God’s presence. “Be still and know that I am god.”