I like going to church. It anchors the day and is an opportunity to open my mind and let some wisdom take root. I love a good sermon. I have gotten some good ones — actionable ones — through the years.
I was raised a conventional Catholic in the Latin rite of the Mass at parishes that had schools which I attended. I was an altar boy. I could swing a mean incense bowl, I received the offering, I assisted at Mass, I assisted the celebrant in robing, and, yes, I stole some altar wine — terrible stuff.
Oddly, most of the altar boys were pals and played basketball together, were golf caddiesm (Father Horan used to get us the job with the caddie master who had fought with the 101st Abn Div at Bastogne), and surfed together. It was an unusual kinship. We all drank the lousy wine together. I have never run into any of them since those days, but we had a lot of fun. I would love to know their stories.
I fell under the influence of those great Irish priests — Fathers Horan, O’Connor) and those demanding nuns (that tough little math teacher Sister Anne de Beaupre). Got striped by the nuns from time to time. Confessed my sins to the priests during Confession. The structure of the Catholic church and Catholic school was good for me. Those Catholic school girls were saucy.
Today, I go to a Southern Baptist Church — Lake Hills Church in Austin By God Texas. I go there because I like the message and messaging from the pastor, Mac Richard. I find his sermons universally actionable.
Today, I watched the service — as I have for seven weeks — on the computer livestreamed. The production values were excellent. LHC is extraordinarily computer literate and has been livestreaming services for years. The message was even better.
I miss dressing up for church — remember this is Austin By God Texas so “dressing up” means knife-edged, buttery soft, ancient khakis, a button down (linen during the summers), a blazer, and a pocket square.
But, I have to say that “going to church” in one’s PJs, with a cup of coffee, lying on my office couch — well, that is pretty damn convenient.
So, the big question is this — will I return to attending church? Or am I going to church henceforth from the comfortable couch in my office?
But, hey, what the Hell do I really know anyway?