A Seaman's Monologue

FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE
A SEAMAN’S MONOLOGUE

You have seen me.

You have seen me among the countless faces
that formed those long queues outside placement agencies.

You have seen me bundle my meager belongings
as my loved ones send me off
to earn the much needed dollars ,
ever banking on the hope that it brings.

You have seen me as I get off the plane,
happy to be home once again .

But….
I wonder if you have seen me…

I wonder if you have seen me
make the sign of the cross
each time the House of God I see.

I make the sign of the cross
because unlike here in our country,
it is not easy
to find a church open at all times overseas.

If there are no scheduled church services
the church doors are mostly closed.

For a seaman like me,
to make my shore leave coincide with the mass
was very difficult.

So each time a Holy Place was within sight
I make the sign of the Cross
in reverence to Our God
of Love, Mercy and Might.

When given the chance
outside the closed church door
I would say some silent prayer.

You see, deep in my heart, I know
that Our God sees me---
when to Him, sincere homage I pay.

And do you know
that Our God looks after the likes of me too?

Let me tell you an incident
one Christmas time not so long ago.

I have just returned from my job abroad.

I was walking along the street when suddenly
I saw the barrel of a gun aimed point blank at me.

The gun wielding man was an escaping hold-upper.

He was desperate to find a way out of the melee,
the one obstructing his escape route happened to be me!

I could see that he was determined to shoot.

Then for a split second he hesitated,
he shifted his gun a little and opened fire…
the bullet hit another passer-by instead.

I felt very sorry for the wounded person.
I was also full of gratitude
to Our God for preserving me.

When the thought
of those who could not attend the mass
cross your mind as you worship
Our God in church,

would you kindly remember

to also

pray

for …

me …?


“ Miracles happen only to those who believe in them.”
~ French Proverb