meant to post something a few days ago, but i realised that it seemed marginally evangelistic after i typed it, and since that's some territory to be tread with care, i decided against posting it.

anyway, there's been so much in the news about the late pope, and what's really surprised me is how much impact his death has had at large- i never knew the catholic church was 1.1 billion strong; i always thought the figure was around half of that. and, they estimate that 2 million have already filed past to pay their last respects, which goes to show that a significant proportion of the 1.1 billion may actually be practicing and faithful catholics too. i wish that i could somehow be at the vatican city now and be able to part of the atmosphere of prayer and pilgrimage. if it doesn't do wonders for my own faith, it will at least be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

religion, i guess, is ultimately a very personal commitment, and something unique to each person. i'm increasingly beginning to accept that only those who are called can respond with the type of faith that any religion requires, but at the same time i wonder how there can be so many people who enter and allow themselves to be led blindly, even if for all their trust they never witness a miracle. and i wish too that i could have that kind of faith, but the truth is that it took many miracles and spiritual encounters for me to believe as i do now- the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak .

and again, i am bordering on the overly religious, so i shall stop now.