And then we were touched by Jesus

I thought I was gonna have a cutesy girl-date kind of day with my dear friend from out of town.  Fortunately, I was wrong.

We had a scone and Swiss coffee at a nearby shop that I had never been to before.  I was impressed, and we had a fantastic time.  We left about 25 minutes early for daily Mass, and I was impressed again.  We got on the highway, and did not have a fantastic time.

While we were on the highway, the two cars in front of us got into a dangerous wreck of an accident.  I felt a sense of peace as I maneuvered, and our car avoided the accident ever-so-slightly.  After the adrenaline left me, my heart began beating fast and the reality of the situation came over me: we were almost in a dangerous car accident. 

As we waited for the police to come, we watched the situation play out from our car on the side of the highway.  An ambulance came within the minute, and the riders of both involved cars were given medical care on-site.  We waited for the police for about thirty minutes, and realized that we wouldn't make it on time for Mass.  Once we finished giving our witness to the police, we were able to leave.  We decided that we would head to the church anyways, in order to pray a rosary for all those involved in the accident.  

We finally arrived at the church parking lot.  I parked the car nervously, and was happy to be outside of a running car.  We walked up to the church.  I shared with my friend that the love of my life grew up in this parish, and she smiled.

We walked into the church, and sat in the back.  As it turns out, we came into the church with five minutes left of Mass.  I realized that Jesus was present, right then and there, to all of us in the room.  At that point, my whole day froze.  I realized that every second of today was, in fact, timed perfectly.  Behold, the Lamb of God.  Behold Him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.  Everything that happened today was a preparation for this moment before My Sweet Lord.

Sabrina and I got down on our knees and responded, "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter into my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed." (Matthew 8:8) I walked down the aisle from the back of the church just as I will one day with a white dress on November 22nd.  I proclaimed, Amen, and then, I received My Lord and My God.

After Mass, we walked up to the front of the church by the altar.  There, my future Maid of Honor and I prayed a rosary where I will be married in just about five months and two days (but who's counting..!).

The reality was that we were touched by Jesus.  Truly touched.  Our days were a bit shaken, and there was nothing better than to kneel before Him, recieve Him, and praise Him.  Short of loving Him with my whole life, that's what I've been made for.  I remembered that my life was given to me today, just as it is each and every morning that I wake up.  Why do I not sing every morning instead of  glare at my multiple alarms and the sun, which I enjoy so much when combined with sea water, salt, and sand?

Later on that afternoon, another dear friend called to share with me that one of her family members is now dancing with the angels in heaven.  I was moved to goosebumps just through speaking with her.  I'm pretty sure I heard  peaceful, beautiful music playing from her heart when I learned about how she and her family have been responding to the death and new life of their beloved family member.  Jesus was there, kissing their family as they bid farewell.

It's all about Jesus.  Always was, and always will be.  Each soul has been made for and is infinitely loved by its' Creator.  It's all about Jesus.

Today was not cutesy. Today was a song of joy; a peaceful, profound kind of joy not to be confused with cheeriness, or them bouncy little sugarplum fairies. 

Thank you, Jesus, for today.

~Esa Cita