Did I Hear Correctly?

I have been teaching Sunday School for close to five years at a Catholic based Institution. I mainly teach students preparing to receive the sacrament of Baptism or Holy Eucharist between the ages of eight to ten. Throughout my experience I had a misconceived view of priests and nuns, of anyone infact holding a revered position in the church.

Basically speaking, I either viewd them as gods or goddesses, beings who kept away from drinking alcohol, smoking, doing weed and everything else considered 'Ungodly'. In terms of music, I was of the opinion that all 'man of cloth' only listened to spiritual songs. Little did I know that this mentally was not only naive but it would soon be modified for good. Sunday classes are not conducted during the school holiday to allow for children to travel.

Before spiritual classes resume, there is always a teachers meeting meant to discuss the goals for the forthcoming term. Last year in September I attended the opening meetings as usual but I arrived early, I was actually the first teacher to arrive other than the priests and nuns. The meating was held not very far off from Campiun house, the home of our Parish Priests. While reading a pamphlet, I thought I was not hearing properly but after a second checking, I knew my ears were not being mislead. A disc was being played and no it was not a motivational speaker preaching or a spiritual song being played- it was ‘You gotta be’ by Desree.

'Priests do have a life after all'! seemed to be the conclusion I came to. One of the Priests noticed that I was shocked. He took advantage of the remaining minutes to explain that there are not 'caged' but very much aware of the on goings of the world. Although it took me nearly two decades to realize it better late than never I suppose. Now I understand the meaning of the verse, Matthew 15: 11"It is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man."