The Common Language

Just last week, I was lamenting about the complaint that was received from the IL on language issue. And over the last couple of days, new light has been cast on the same topic.

Although I know that Sander’s family are / were Dutch-reformed Christians, I do not really understand what is different with their way of serving since most of them stopped going to church some years back. Some weeks back when visiting his opa (grandfather) I was happy to observed that that the bible was lying open on the table. I did not have any particular strong feelings at that time.

Opa’s passing on last Tuesday night was a surprise for the whole family. And Wednesday was strange and busy for the family, trying to figure out what are the procedures to follow. Sander was instructed to take care of the church reading at the funeral. It was the first time I saw my man picking up his bible and reading it intensively.

He was upset!

He cannot understand why such a sad passage was chosen. Apparently, Opa had written a short note in an envelope to instruct for this reading at his funeral. In order to share the doubt of Sander, of course I had to pick up my English bible to read for the same. Immediate I realized that page was classified under “Yearning for God amid distress” At that moment I felt the connection with Opa and the pain he was suffering in those last days. I felt an instant relieved and happiness for him that his prayer has been answered. It feels great to be able to have the common language to understand this kind old man despite the fact that I did not have and will not have any more chance to have a good conversation with him.
And reading through the order of the funeral, I may not understand the entire content but I understood the readings and more importantly the session will be ending with a “Our Father”.

I had always enjoyed being a Catholic due to the “global membership” that I had enjoyed. I was able to walk into a mass of any language and able to follow through majority the sequence and enjoy the presence of God. Today I felt the even stronger power of His language to bring me closer to Sander’s family.

Today is holy trinity and in the homily, the priest mentioned the famous John 3:16. I was again reminded that I will have a chance to meet Opa in time to come and my only wish is that Sander will be there too.

Psalms 42

1 As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me continually, "Where is your God?"

4 These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I went with the throng, and led them in procession to the house of God,with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival. 5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help 6and my God. My soul is cast down within me therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. 7 Deep calls to deep at the thunder of your cataracts; all your waves and your billows have gone over me. 8 By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.

9 I say to God, my rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I walk about mournfullybecause the enemy oppresses me?" 10 As with a deadly wound in my body, my adversaries taunt me, while they say to me continually, "Where is your God?" 11 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.