Today my mom and I were late for our usual village mass so we ended up going to another church instead.  It was more crowded than the one I usually attend and it made me realize all those little things that annoy me when I go to mass.  And it just confirmed why I only like going to mass in certain churches at certain times.

1. Why do people rush to the front of the line during Holy Communion?  It’s not like the mass will finish any earlier of you are first, fifth or last in the line.  And I hate those who walk next to the existing line in hopes that someone will let them cut in.  I only see this happen here in the Philippines. 
2. If you’re going to talk during mass, the least you can do is keep your voice down.   Hey, I too engage in a little chit-chat in the middle of mass, but I make an effort to talk in my “inside voice”.  Today there was a couple behind me who were chit-chatting about their gimmick the night before as if they were in the middle of a noisy restaurant. 
3. Yes it’s good that you bring your kids to church, but it’s not so good that you let them run around and play and even scream.  This little girl was running around church today chasing after her friend, and everytime they caught up with each other they would scream.  And the parents would just smile at them.  There’s a park outside, make them run out there.
4. Mass time is not snack time.  Yes I know that sometimes kids get hungry during mass.  That’s fine.  But I once heard mass and got confused when I heard paper rustling behind me.  And what did I see?  This couple standing behind me were eating McDonald’s burgers and fries.  DURING THE MASS! Ok so we were standing on the steps in front of the church, but still!   And what annoyed me even more? One of the kids who hangs out in the church parking lot begging for change went up to them and asked for food, they shooed him away.   They were already being disrespectful to the church and they were even being selfish.  They should have just eaten their burgers in McDo.
5. Does it still count if you spend the whole mass outside the church, smoking and chit-chatting with your friends?  In Christ the King in Greenmeadows, there are always groups of people who just stay outside the front of the church with their cigarettes and talking animatedly with their friends.  I don’t even think they are aware of what is going on inside the church.

I know, I’m in church, I should be more forgiving of my fellowman, but some people just make it so hard….

I guess I should pray for patience and the ability not to sweat the small stuff?

That’s all for now…bow.