Ruminating My Religiousity

It was a quarter before noon when I decided to take my meal at Ate Liza's. I took one of the small round tables just beside it's entrance. Everybody in the kitchen seemed so preoccupied that my presence was apparently conspicuous. I have been skipping breakfast these days so my esurience pushed me to butt in with the customers scrambling for food over the counter. I told Ate Liza, I wanted some mung green soup for one of my seemingly habitual brunch sessions. I was trying to avoid a deja vu of what occurred the other day.

The other day, I got in the cafeteria just a few minutes past twelve and I felt sorry all the pots and containers were empty. There was nothing left to eat for a late comer like me. I was compelled to eat outside the building.

While waiting for my food to be served, I couldn't avoid wandering my eyes around. My wait was taking more than usual as expected. A fair looking lad measly enjoying his meal caught my eye. From his looks, I realized that he works at the printing press located just one notch up from the third floor of the building where our office is located. He looked dingy in his tattered pair of shorts and his shabby white shirt. In spite of that, he radiated a certain glow of a fine, young-looking, man.

He was unmindful I was watching him and I for the time being forgot I had to hasten my meal because I had to teach after thirty minutes.

After satisfying himself with one order of rice, a tiny bowl of complimentary soup, and half an order of sauteed cabbage, he bowed his head, clipped his hands, and started whispering a prayer. I was in awe. I was hurt to be confronted of my negligence of my faith. Memories of my Christianity in my yester years started flashing back in my head. I was such a fanatic then attending Bible studies, going to church regularly, praying the rosary, etc.

I watched him 'til he finished his communion with God. A twinge in my heart told me I haven't been thankful these days- a time when the quality of my life is moving forward. I am well recuperating from my disease, pleased with the buoyancy of my job, able to support my family despite the hard times, and free from major adversaries in life.

How could I be so ironic?

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