Catholics With Plenty “Side-Chicks”

By Dr. Jarlath Uche Opara

I was a victim of it many years ago. Repented and prayed not to get back to that point of temptation. Weeks ago I had a discussion with a friend on this “side-chick” thing, his opinion and views did not align with mine. He saw nothing wrong in it, rather extolled the diversity it presents , making up for what was not in what one rightfully has.

Ever since I repented from this “side-chickism” I see it as one disgusting act that should be distanced from.

Sadly, the sign of this “side-chickism” is visibly within the precinct of Catholic enviroment. I guess it is same in every church. We are born with a deep sense of insatiability, always looking for things one feels are lacking in ones life. Always feeling it is greener at the other side, a mind entanglement of many; running from one pole to another, looking for something elsewhere that is well saturated in what one had already. Greed if you ask me!!

I won’t know what you are thinking , but I bet you, those things that are criss-crossing through your thought are far off from what I set out to discuss here. In your mind you must have imagined how promiscuous I was.

It is not about that I assure you, but about the “side chick” of church sampling and prayer houses patronage.

Growing up as a young Catholic boy grappling with my faith, severally was dragged either by friends or visited such prayer houses by self volition, creating illusions around the authenticity of what is deposited in the Catholic church.

I wanted to get things by mere snapping of fingers and as such fell for the charm and allurement of getting them through other churches or prayer houses.

Often times such initial enticement gets waned after months of baren result and dry hope of getting ones challenges solved.

To know how deep an average Catholic is in this church “side- chicking”, a visit to their houses would possibly unveil it. Even their cars at least expose such.

One could see all manner of stickers either on their gates, doors or cars reflecting their allegiance to different ministries, prayer houses etc. Not one, not two, in between the stickers of either the Blessed Virgin Mary, Divine Mercy, Jesus or some Saints. Such stickers of prayer houses reveal the unspoken mindset of the victims of this church prostitution, casting lot , hoping to get answers of their problems from either of them.

I am not here to condemn such Side -chicks( Different denominations and prayer houses) They are good in themselves, probably someone else’ main chick( main church). My concern is on the inappropriateness of “church best riding”, one leg here, another there. In the morning Catholic, in the afternoon Mountain On Top and in the night The Elijah By Fire Ministry. Rolling like a stone and finding it difficult to gather some reasonable mud.

God is everywhere. It would be mere hubris to say that only Catholic church has the monopoly of God’ presence, power, signs and miracles. God is in us, he is equally in the midst of more than one person who gather in his name. He answers prayers according to his will and would certainly grant ones wish if it aligns with his will regardless of ones religious persuasions.

Having a single eye focus helps. Maintaining one brand of oil( church) for ones engine( faith) is better than mixing different types of oil for an engine. However good and top- notch those oil are, the engine may be at the verge of knocking or smoking because of the mix.

Catholic church is replete with rich traditions of verified miracles, signs and wonders. Well seated on an undisputable tradition of God’ unspeakable display of raw power either through the Eucharist, intercession of the Saints or from Divine/ Angelic visitations.

Stop subjecting yourself to this church “side- chicking”, always counter-productive with minimal result level. Stop running around. Inside the Catholic church are deposits, too powerfull to turn ones debilitating life challenges into something very beautiful.

Stop running around. Have a single focus, be patient, though it may be challenging to be, especially when one is being beaten left , right and centre by the wind and waves of life vicissitudes. Be calm, focus on him in the Eucharist, help certainly would come. It may rage, storm may come, the cloud darkenes as rain threatens, it may or may not rain, but surely it would be sunny thereafter.

Stop running around. Catholic church has all it takes to solve all your heartaches and grant you peace and calm in due time. Stop this church transaction! The answer and solution you seek are not in church, but in God through your disposition,diligence, faith and belief.
Stay one place and be focused. Your solution surely will show up!!

*Last line*: Catholic church has a spirituality that is different from other denominations. In her spirituality God meets them so intimately and blesses them just like he does to other sects and denominations. Mixing the Catholic Spirituality with other spiritualities( mixcogbuo) and expects God to meet you in your yearns, cries, suplications may be challenging but not impossible.

Believe your belief, stand by it no matter how wavering and stormy, like the woman with an issue of blood, the paralytic, the man by the pool for 48 years etc your testimony is assured.

Look at the beauty, dynamism, depth of the liturgy of the Papal election, the miracles from the
Saints and Eucharist centuries ago, no shouting, no “huhuhuh”, no noise but in the quietness and solemn worship and adoration they all happened. That is her Spirituality!! Contemplative, meditative, instrospective, solemn and sacred!! Remember, other spiritualities are good too, my message is, don’t be a jack in all but master in none. Have an identity and make a mastery of it.

*My closing quote*

*And yes… there were days when I prayed and only felt an echo.But then I discovered something:God doesn’t shout. God whispers.And sometimes He whispers from the mud, from pain, from a grandmother who feeds you without having anything.I don’t come to offer you perfect faith.I come to tell you that faith is a walk with stones, puddles, and unexpected hugs*.
Robert Prevost (Leo XIV)

MY NEXT CONCERN: Catholics And Repetitive Prayers