Going to Mass...

My youngest son was sick this morning so he and I are staying home while everyone else heads to church. It's just a precautionary measure, right now he's happy as a clam and seemingly healthy so if that continues the wife will pick up both up after Mass and we'll head over to the in-laws for a Christmas party.

Normally I'd just blow off going to Mass, feeling that babysitting my son provided sufficient excuse that I don't need to jump through any hoops on that score.

A few nights ago, at our men's meeting I heard a Filipino immigrant relate how he worked for a time in Saudi Arabia as an RN. There is no other religious worship besides Islamic services allowed in the Kingdom of Saud. So when this man wanted to go to Mass he had to break sharia law and find a clandestine service. It was so secretive that worshippers never had any idea where the next week's Mass would be held until it was announced at the one they were attending. Guess if you didn't go to Mass on any given week you'd have to hookup with someone who trusted you enough to divulge the information.

Anyway, this man thought it important enough to fulfill his Sunday obligation that he risked imprisonment for it. Prisons in the Arab world aren't concerned with human rights, especially the rights of foreign workers from a Third World country.

I'm sure you got the picture ten minutes ago.

I'll be leaving the party for a while today to find a Mass. Once there, I'll probably offer a few prayers of thanksgiving for the religious freedoms my lazy ass takes for granted.