Spiritual Manners

“That’s GROSS, Josh!” Dan whispered loudly as he heard his classmate pass some air while they prayed in the chapel after recess.

“Sorry Jesus!, [GIGGLE] I…couldn’t help myself,” Josh shrugged his shoulders.

“But we’re inside the chapel, and it’s not proper!” Dan corrected him.

“I know, but lunch was…,” he tried excusing himself.

“…at least you could step outside like Teacher Simon said.” Dan reminded him.

“I could, but it happened so fast and I guess Jesus wouldn’t really mind, would he?”

* * *

Of course our Lord would perfectly understand how these children may not yet properly control themselves to observe certain norms of good bearing and elegance in the chapel. Unfortunately, more and more children are not behaving as they should inside Church because of what they see their elders do.

I’m not saying adults do such things like Josh. Sadly, in present times, the sense of the sacred is gradually disappearing. A more pragmatic outlook has given way to a mere external fulfillment of one’s religious obligations and practices. A sign of this is how worship –though I’m not saying this is entirely bad– has been ‘mallified’ (or incorporated into our many malls) to be just one more local stall inside the mall.

Despite this, many are losing their spiritual manners because of the wave of secularization in society. St. Josemaría observes: “Piety has its own good manners. Learn them. It’s a shame to see those ‘pious’ people who don’t know how to attend Mass – even though they go daily, – nor how to bless themselves (they throw their hands about in the weirdest fashion), nor how to bend the knee before the Tabernacle (their ridiculous genuflections seem a mockery), nor how to bow their heads reverently before a picture of our Lady.” (The Way, #541)

These are but mild examples compared to how some can go to Church dressed for the beach or the gym. How people are easily distracted with texting, surfing and how others –prefer to attend Mass with air conditioning– by remaining inside their cars while trying to listen to Mass from the car park. Sometimes this can be worse than children passing air in the class or a chapel. The sense of God’s ‘mysterious presence’ has been profaned.

For people in love there can be no small or insignificant things when referring to their beloved. Such meticulous details are manifested when we give gifts on very special occasions. Everything from the gift to the wrapper and ribbons exude our love for the celebrant. When it comes to leisurely affairs, we see how people give special attention to brands, gadgets, and themes to enrich the occasion. How can we not treat our Lord in the same manner?

• Keep the Signs Alive. Road signs help us to safely drive to our destinations. If we are careful to keep the signs of our faith alive, they too will help us reach the end. Let’s take care of making the sign of the Cross well with love, not with haste and keeping in mind the names of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in heart and lips.

Let’s treat religious objects –this is not idolatry– with respect. It’s the same as keeping a photograph of one’s parents or beloved. They nurture a deeper piety in us by helping us to focus on our prayers and devotions. Let’s learn how to use Holy Water and other sacramental in their proper place and occasion.

• The Right Timing. Good timing can spell the difference between something well done or badly neglected. Let’s keep our divine appointments (i.e. Mass on Sundays and other important feasts, family prayers, parish duties, etc.) well in place. Our right timing may be something invisible to others, but it is what is essential to God’s eyes, when He sees our faith in keeping them.

• Celebrate the Occasion. Religious celebrations and gatherings cannot be equated to mere social events. Being a time with and for God, we ought to consider them as true celebrations that transcend earthly time. Thus, the entire day must be strongly marked by such religious events. We must take the effort to dress up for Mass, prepare ourselves for the readings and songs. These preliminary pious preparations already deck our souls and prepare us to worthily receive the heavenly garment.

* * *

“T’sup with you, Dan? I already said sorry to Jesus for what I did!” Josh said.

“I know, but…,” Dan slightly turned back and said, “you also have to say sorry to sister who is behind us.”

“Ooops!”