Homesick

Homesick.

That’s the best word to describe how I feel right after reading my friend’s blog entry (read it here) about 3 of the memorable sermons he heard while he was in high school.I can relate to what he said. I too grew up where first Friday mass attendance was a must. Unlike him though, I can’t remember any of the sermons I’ve heard.

The rushing of emotions that I felt after reading his blog was not stemming from my high school experiences. It was actually from the first time I attended the 11:00 AM service at Marble Collegiate Church in NYC.

The months leading to our first service at Marble (and departure from NYC) had been very stressful and trying months for me and my family. As I sat in the pew that morning, an over powering feeling came over. My chest started constricting and my eyes welled up with unshed tears. I’m not sure if it was Dr. Arthur Caliandro’s sermon that Sunday or the fact that I was actually in church for the first time in months (my guess is it’s all of it) – but I really just got all choked up and somewhat relieved and hopeful. It took a whole lot of will power for me to not start sobbing when the choir started singing “On Eagles Wings.”

The few times we attended service at Marble were the best services I’ve ever been to in my life. They are maybe really that good or it was just that Marble came into mine (and Jay’s) life at the time when we needed it the most. It’s been a while since I’ve been moved that way but just thinking about it now, I can’t help but start tearing up again.

I am homesick.
Homesick for a place that’s 750 miles away from here.
Homesick for a place that made me feel good and whole.
…
…
5 points for NYC.