Queenkv’s Brainpickings

ZIHUATANEJO — It`s a good thing they have a map of Zihuatanejo hanging next to the computers inside this internet cafe. Otherwise, I wouldn`t know how to spell Zihuatanejo. Zihuatanejo is a tough town to spell.

We managed to snag a seat for the 8:00 AM Mass today. After the service, I saw an English-speaking couple ask the priest about other Masses for Sunday. He said they didn`t have any. The woman looked bummed. I suppose you have to be an early bird to catch the Mass…or something. I remember the same thing happened to me when I attempted to catch a Mass in Prague. People like to go to church early, I suppose.

Zihuatanejo is a mix of upper-lower classes - rich establishments and run downed hovels. But like in most towns I`ve visited in other parts of the world, Zihuatanejo`s church was spotless. It`s a simple place to worship. Folks opened up all the windows and doors to circulate out the hot air. A couple of fans spun overhead. About twenty minutes before the service, the choir went over the Mass parts and hymns with the parish.

I think an elderly usher offered to seat us closer to the altar. I apologized and said I didn´t understand. We were visitors to their parish and I thought it would be better for the regulars to have the better seats. That just made sense to me.

I think somebody in the choir was off key, but everybody sang with all their hearts. Like other masses in other countries, I followed along the mass parts with English responses. Again, I reached inside my own hear to get the gist of scriptures and the Word of God.

Babies cried, people sold scripture books during the Mass and people kneeled on the concrete floor since they didn´t have any kneelers.

A lady stood by the priest`s side with a mug. He sipped from it to soothe his throat. He had a few fits of coughing throughout the Gospel, the homily and the rest of mass.

It was simple, but I was also impressed with everyone`s devotion. Old, young, rich, poor - they worshipped as one church. They gave what they could donate. We all bowed our heads during Communion.