You attend a Catholic Mass

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"Catholic Mass" by the Soundfonts

You've found yourself down on your luck, pockets empty, not even enough scratch for one of those cheap tall-boys in a lunch sack. There is no motivation to go on, only thoughts that you should walk yourself over to the bridge and get it over with. How easy it could be, if only you had the courage.

Instead, you walk the streets filled by impotent rage, picking up empty bottles to smash on the sidewalk. You hope the broken glass cuts up some granny's wheelchair tires, or maybe grinds deep into some bare feet. Let the whole world join in your suffering and misery, a world so sinful it couldn't cut you any kind of break.

Deep in this thought, your eyes drift up to see where you are — outside the St. James Church, one of those Catholic spots. You are struck for the first time by the way the sunlight shines on the stained-glass, how the cross sits on that high spire.

You push open the heavy front door . . .

1. Hateful eyes scowl at you as you enter
2. Welcoming smiles greet your entrance
3. The parishioners are too deep in prayer to notice your arrival
4. You quietly sit in the back, listening to the sermon
5. You pray before the statue of Mary
6. You decide this isn't a good idea