"Sin tonight, for tomorrow we repent."
A good protestant would consider that an abomination. Yet inlies a liberty I didn't know prior. I spent half my life in the Yankee north and didn't understand its moral-tension until after a full year in the deep south. Its a terrible struggle to be that uptight about everything for so long. Its nice to be able to let it go once in a while.
Alvar Nuñez Cabeza De Vaca walked from Florida to Mexico in the 1520's (link). A devout Catholic, he was Crown sponsored to explore the new world and (in exchange for gold) bring heathens to Jesus. After his ship wrecked he soon ran out of ammo and learned that a bible without a gun isn't the same. He was enslaved pretty quick.
Cabeza writes:
I could no longer stand the life I was compelled to lead. Among many other troubles
I had to pull the eatable roots out of the water and from among the canes where
they were buried in the ground, and from this my fingers had become so tender
that the mere touch of a straw caused them to bleed.
He eventually negotiated to be a trader instead. A certain sea shell was coveted up north and he built a trade route amongst the different tribes. He learned languages and customs until he was captured again and forced into ruthless slavery.
In those years of beatings his life changed significantly. Eventually a fight amongst his masters allowed his escape and without being tracked down. Free again, they discovered that by making the sign of the cross over the injured, illnesses went away. So grateful were the recipients that they would help the Spaniards with anything and beg for them to stay.
People tried to give them things, however the Spaniards were no longer interested. They didn't want gold, they wanted to find other Christians.
I can't tell what part of the story is real, I have no idea which is church PR. But something surely changed because after finally crossing some very giant river they covered 3/4 of the distance in about 1/4 of the total time. Somehow they were able to deal with the natives differently after slavery. Something clearly significant had happened.
After one comes close to death sometimes their dispositions change. Not as worried about what money they make or car they drive, instead they want to spend more time with family and give what they have away.
Maybe Caveza finally figured out the Message rather than the power of the order. I think this is also something I saw at Mardi Gras. On Tuesday night there will be no room for judgement, its a freedom that Protestants almost never experience. I think Caveza found some of that same freedom. Like a disregard for what "society" thinks we should do and instead develop a willingness to explore that which is actually in our heart. Turns out we all can hold a deep love for others, though its sometimes a process to find it.
note about the photos: In southern louisiana or sola (outside New Orleans) there are about 100 mardi gras parades. Small towns, big cities, each themed, for a month. These photos (#1 and #5 
Cheers and thanks for reading.
Love the lights.