Yesterday during the morning mass, a couple of lines from the communion song stirred my consciousness. I told myself I will use it as my Lenten Mantra. It says, ‘slow to anger, rich in kindness…’
Last night, as I took an examination of the day that was just about to end, I was shaking my head in disgust as the events of the day played back.
At 10 am, I told someone, ‘I wanted to shake you. You know the resto ‘Shrimp o’ Bucket’? They put the shrimps inside a plastic bag, put spices and shake it. That’s what I want to do with you. Put you inside a bag and shake you so all your senses would wake up.’
At 1:30 pm, just after lunch, I called someone and the first thing I said was, ‘I will kll you.’
At 6 pm, I called someone else and said, ‘You are trekking deep into the woods/forest. Climb up the tree! Do you understand what I am saying?’
At 10 pm, on WhatsApp, I had a conversation with the person I threatened to kll at 1:30 pm, crossing the boundaries of trash-talking and bantering. I was throwing my wrath to my willing victim.
Whatever happened to ‘slow to anger, rich in kindness’?
I may have fallen short in few occasions, but I still feel blessed and loved for in between those wraths, there were people who have shown me kindness, gentleness, generosity and love. I feel humbled by the love received despite of. And I think that’s what Lent is all about — it is all about the love we receive from Christ and others… inspite and despite of…