Catholic Store

Blog No. 58: Catholic Store

I've never really been that religious.

It's no surprise to some people, but to the people I've met post high school it needs to be said, I guess. Sure, I respect their views and beliefs and whatnot, but, and I'm not afraid of saying it, I always feel kind of awkward around religious people. Well... Religious people being all religious.

So imagine my level of discomfort when I see this giant painting in front of Easter's:



I do NOT know what to make of this painting. Whenever I go into this store, the giant Jesus always seemed very daunting. I'm trying to come up with words to describe how this looks like to me. Scary? Mysterious? Sexually inappropriate? (XD) I had a dream once about this certain painting, only I saw myself as the one Jesus is holding up. Extremely odd... And creepy.

Anyways, we went to Easter's to get stuff for the wedding tomorrow (AAAAHH!!!) so that the priest can bless them or something. And it's super weird because my family is supposedly catholic. There's no church days in the house, but when it comes to important events it's "PRAISE baby Jesus!" XD

Me, I just find organized religion kind of creepy. Whenever I think of it, I reflect back on this first time I went to church, where the mass was super long and all I remembered was the preacher saying "Praise to Taco Bell!" and everyone in the church muttered "Praise be to the Lord." This was way back when my Grandma walked with a cane everywhere. I remember because she took me to go up after some words in line for those flat breads and wine. The flat thingies taste like paper, and I took 3 large gulps of wine before they took it away from me.

God is weird. XD

So I'm in the store, surrounded by staring eyes of a hippie-ish, bearded man painted and sculpted everywhere, thinking what did I do to attract this much attention?, and I look at iconic stuff, the different crosses and the rainbow of colored rosaries, and wonder who would put a miniaturized, half naked hippie nailed to a piece of board, BLEEDING, on a child's wall?, and then I just back away from it all and look at it as an insider.

Here's where I like the religious scene. I found some cross with some inspirational writing on it instead of the depressed hippie. It said "Enter through the narrow gate. Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it" which would be more inspiring and less scary in a baby's room. At least it would be more pleasing in a child's eyes until they understand the meaning of the actual crucifix.

The things I do like about the religious scene are the inspiring passages and strong symbolism. And it's not only catholicism too. If you think about it, there are strong ties that bind each of these religions, despite the arguments, the differences, the radicals, and the years and years of unrest over religion in general. Religion, (the general idea not the worship of a or multiple gods), speaks to my philosophical side.

That is why, I think, I can tolerate the religious scene... Even after the "Praise to Taco Bell" XD

Preparations-For-The-Wedding To Do List:

1. Wake up at 6 AM.
2. Be showered and decent by 8 AM.
3. Get the cider from Bevmo at 9 AM.
4. Get the bride from the hair salon at 11 AM.
5. Stay out of the way from 11 AM to 1 PM.
6. Get my class ring, my spare sports coat, and the Sheri's Berries from the house sometime in between.
7. Pick up the cupcakes for the reception.
8. Meet with the wedding coordinator and hear her rant about the procession.
9. DON'T FORGET THE TUXEDO.
10. Be at the church at least an hour beforehand.
11. Find Kaylah/Piper and have them meet up with eachother.
12. Assign a photographer for my camera.
13. Help the bride with last minute details.
14. Hope that all is well and it doesn't rain.

Weddings are fun, aren't they?... AREN'T THEY?