Growing up, our family went to Church every Sunday. My dad was involved in parish committees, my mom and sisters were in church choirs, and I was an altar server.

I knew the Mass and the prayers, but something was missing. God was the Creator who made the world but he seemed far away. Praying was cold. It was like praying to a wall. I didn’t know that it was possible to have a relationship with God and even more that He loves us so much.

That all changed when I was a youth. My sisters were in a musical called Godspell. The play imagined that Jesus being born in the 1970s instead of 2000 years ago. And yes, in true 1970’s style, Jesus had an afro. Jesus’ parables were acted out and there was lots of singing.

I loved the play. It brought the teachings of the bible to life and had great moments as the apostles got to know Jesus. They laughed and cried and became close friends as Jesus taught them many things.

During the second act, it got more serious with the last supper. Jesus shared the bread and wine and said his goodbyes. The apostles didn’t understand what was happening.

But I knew what was happening. After the last supper, Jesus was arrested and soon after crucified, and died on the cross. I didn’t want the play to end, I didn’t want Him to die.

In that theatre, for the very first time in my life, I prayed in a way that I had never prayed before. I didn’t just say a prayer…I prayed a prayer. My prayer was simple: “Jesus, why do you have to die?”.

Jesus wasn’t far off, a distant God. He was right here. I didn’t get a loud booming voice answering my question. It was a quiet whisper in my heart. “I have to die for my friends so they can be united with me in heaven forever. I have to die for you.” He has to die for all of us.

At that moment in the theatre, I cried. I understood that God is not far off but that he is right here with us; that he loves us immensely, and that he gave us a way to be united with him. Through His death on the cross and resurrection, he takes away our sins and opened up the gates of heaven.

Did my life change from this encounter? Absolutely. I still have problems and struggles but it opened the door to a deep relationship with Jesus. Love came into my life in the most intimate way. There is a song from Godspell called Day by Day which sums up how it changed my approach to living. 

Day by day, O dear Lord three things I pray, to see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, follow thee more nearly, day by day.

I want to leave you with this challenge: if you don’t have a close relationship with Jesus or if you want a deeper relationship with Him, take a moment either during Mass, later today or tonight and pray “Jesus, let me know you.” It will be the beginning of the most amazing relationship.