The Lord Jesus took my father Home on November 28. On December 4, my father's family, who are devout Catholics, invited me to participate in a Mass dedicated to my father. They asked me to sing during the service, and I agreed to go. Many of my evangelical relatives found it absurd for me to accept this invitation, but I did! I understood that this was the way that my aunts knew to express their love for my father. They were expressing how much they loved him.
I listened to the entire Mass, and then the priest, a very kind gentleman, asked me to go to the altar. Then the priest said to me, “Welcome in our midst! Feel free to speak and sing whatever you want.” I sang a praise called Terra Feliz: “I see a Happy Land, where I will live forever…” But before I sang, I said that I would like to thank my aunts and the priest for expressing love for my father, and I understood that Mass was their expression of love.
The priest said he admired how sincere my family is in their faith. He said that he believes my father was saved by the Grace of God, and not by the works he did (contrary to Catholic doctrine). I said I was happy to be invited by them to sing. I said several sincere words that came from my heart, and I noticed that all the faithful and the priest were crying, wiping away tears.
After I finished singing, the priest asked me for a hug (he is an 80 year old man). I let him give me that hug. When he hugged me, he said crying, “Young lady, this is the first time that I’ve felt loved by someone from your faith. Your words were so sincere, and your music brought a special atmosphere within this church. It brought peace and joy to us. It doesn't seem that you lost someone you love. You have so much peace!"
And he repeated those words on the microphone for the whole church to hear. After all this, all the members made a giant line to greet me. Everyone was crying in that line. I heard many wonderful words. Many asked me where I attend church and more about my doctrine. Everyone said that they never felt that special atmosphere in that church as it was in that Mass. I want to live this every day in 2020! May God help me!
Geisa Helena Alves de Lima
Brazil