Today was the most extraodinary party I have ever attended: it was pure Nigerian! First there was an Ebo-Nigerian Mass that was devout and full of harmonious singing to different drums: this Mass reminded me of John's Revelation: the Divine Marriage of the Bride and the Lamb. It was as if the Liturgy of LAMB of God being united to His Bride, the Church, was taking place. All the people were is authentic Nigerian Ashioke dress...their "Wedding garments". The five priests saying this Ebo Mass were beautiful as well in their vestments and devout manner: they were the celebrents and ministers hearing the vows between Jesus and His Bride, the Church! "Come and see the woman who is Bride of the Lamb!"
The reception for this wedding took place after Holy Communion and final blessing which is the very union of the Bride to His Church: the pre-enactment of the final Marriage Feast of the Lamb to His Bride, the Church! All that St. John wrote about in his Book of Revelation was taking place in this Mass - the pre-figurement of the True and Evenlasting Wedding and Union of the Bridegroom, Jesus, to His Bride, the Church! The "Holy. Holy, Holy" sung by the angels in the Book of Revelation was pre-echoed here today. But ontologically, mystically, theologically: this Mass - song in a strange Ebo language of the Spirit - was coinciding with the final Feast in Heaven because just as each sacrifice of the Mass is the celebrating of actual past event made present for us at each Mass -- the very one-time-sacrifice of Jesus on the cross -- when we are being transported to the Hill of Calvary and made present there with Jesus in such a marvelous way -- that Jesus could see us mystically then when He was on that cross 2000 years ago..and..He could see is us there with His Mother and St. John...now...with Him as He says: "Into Your hands, Father, I commend my spirit. Jesus dies but once..yet we are transported to that very moment...and He offers us up to the Father with Himself..our sufferings...for the salvation of all human kind. It is glorious today and at every Mass; but today was so apocalyptical: all time is one present moment: Jesus's suffering and death as well as His triumphant Marriage of Himself to His Bride the Church: the Marriage Feast of the Lamb.
After Mass, the Ebo Party was again drums and singing but now DANCING!! Imagine...See with your imagination...all these beautiful people in their wedding garments: Ashioke and singing and dancing and dining and laughing and celebrating with all their hearts and with all the love for one another that would convert the hardened of sinners and atheists because both could truly say while watching this celebration: "See how they love one another!" As soon as I came in, a nun -- a literal Bride of Christ -- came over to me and tenderly offered to get me a plate of food -- later, I danced with the whole celebranti of people including her as all were dancing with hand-waving and joyously communicating with one another - thus here was the Bride and all the Bride's attendies - for Sister Imaculata - all in white habit - was the very personification of the Bride the Church; she was beautiful with her face fully radiant because she knew she had the Bridegroom, Jesus, and He had her! She was one of the "five wise virgins" who went into the Wedding Feast with their Lord which Jesus had predicted in His parable. This Reception was glorious and magnificent and prefiguring for all of us our heavenly banquet with Jesus when He will come and wipe every tear from our eyes.
You may ask, how was able to be here since I did not have an Ashioke on - a wedding garment as all the other wedding guests had on? Jesus could see my wedding garment. I had Jesus in my very soul because I had just received Jesus in Holy Communion at the Eboe Mass..Jesus was still in me Eucharistically when I arrived at my table...Jesus was my Wedding Garment of Righteousness, Good Deeds and Faith. All salvivic action begins with God and initiated by God: my conception, birth, baptism, confirmation an now Eucharistic union with Jesus's sacred heart. My wedding garment was His Grace and Presence.
Come to the Feast!!..at today's Mass...now..here....and at your local Parish Mass...all are united in Jesus. Let us celebrate together today the Marriage Feast of the Lamb!! Amen? Amen! Deo gratias!!Eucharistico!
Love, Pio
No comments:
Post a Comment