Jesus, the Bellhop?!?

I've been going to this church since I've gotten down here. I just googled churches the first week I was here and thought I would work my way down the list until I found one I liked. I stopped after the first one.


At first glance, looked like any Catholic church. Pretty standard set up. Then mass began and I started to notice that things were... off. The priest has a sense of humor, that is for sure. He makes random jokes, lightens up the mood. He has a scottish or irish or something accent, but he speaks fluent spanish and sometimes slips into it. He kind of reminds me of a Spanish leprechaun or something. 


The front of the church has a "Last Supper" mural and at first I thought nothing of it. Then I started to really look at it. They have all sorts of people represented, pregnant lady, asian guy, I even think the two guys on the right are a bi-racial gay couple! Not exactly how the last supper went down in the bible. But I can get on board with that, I actually really dig the painting. And after I realized the uniqueness of the Last Supper in the front I started to take in the rest of my surroundings. They have several paintings throughout the church that represent the stations of the cross (I think that is what it is called). One with Jesus carrying the cross, another with Mary comforting him. And as I was scanning the different paintings, I came to one that literally made me laugh out loud. Again, if you weren't really paying attention, you would glance right past it without even noticing. But take a look and tell me if you are seeing what I am seeing. Because, what I am seeing is an old guy in a polo shirt holding up a set of dice to Jesus. Is that man inviting Jesus to a game of Yatzee? What is going on here and how does that fit into the story?!? And why is Jesus so uninterested? Does he prefer Scrabble?

Throughout the mass, they have different photos and verses projected up on screens on either side of the church. Sometimes, I look and wonder why they would pick the image they did but usually pretty standard stuff. Well, today they had a real treat. The photo was a man and wife with their young daughter. They were walking up the side of the road. About 10 feet ahead of them was Jesus, dressed in his usual Jesus fashion of robe, beard, and no shoes. In the picture you can definitely tell that he is walking with purpose,  like he has somewhere to be. All of this so far is acceptable and not completely out of the ordinary. Until I mention the luggage Jesus was carrying. He had two arm loads of suitcases, literally. Four pieces of luggage as he is huffing it up the road with this family walking behind him. Is that family making the Son of God carry their luggage?!? What, being the savior wasn't enough? Gotta make him your bellhop too?!?

I have to give this church props, because although I joke and the priest is a hoot, none of it has ever been disrespectful. I really like the church and the atmosphere of it all. When I stopped an usher today to take my picture and talk a little bit about the church, he said lots of people like the photos. I think it keeps your attention. If nothing else, it makes you want to go to church each Sunday just to see what Google images they were able to find this week. I have to be honest though, I'm not sure how they are going to top Jesus, the bellhop!