Religion of the Spirit

Thanks Rob for having published this on Facebook tonight :)

I completely endorse this view of Religion - all the more, of Prayer - as a spontaneous act that cannot be limited by fixed rules or words.

When I was at school, as most of the kids of my age, I've been sent to attend Catechism in my local (Catholic) church. Once I asked our priest to explain me the reason why I was supposed to recite all nights and mornings every time the same three prayers with the same words and I couldn't directly talk to the Boss asking for what I needed or giving thanks for what I had.

This guy told me these exact words: "Because God will understand what you need or wanna say without you even having to ask. Say these prayers and trust me".

I don't remember how old I was, I suppose around 10. I'm almost 41 and I still cannot understand if he was kidding me or just believed in magic formulas.