Forty three seminarians from 18 diocese of the from five countries of Asia stayed with us for one week to make a school which (we could call a congress) in Mariapolis Peace, Tagaytay, Philippines, to learn about the communitarian spirituality. John Paul II wanted to make the church a "school and a home of communion" if we want to meet the challenges of this new millennium. Together we try to learn and live this spirituality of communion endorsed by the church in all levels! The congress also concentrated on the theme, Jesus Crucified and Forsaken, a very deep reality which is being discovered more by theologians and spiritual men and women.
As part of the theme, we have the responsiblity of transmitting as far as possible through the witness of our lives the spirituality. It is not easy since it is not preaching through words but through expriences. Songs which were composed coming from concrete experiences helped a lot, since one of us is a good singer, composer and arranger. You know that the youth of today loves songs especially the message whiich goes with it.
I was used to have scheduled program, but here, we have to rely not on the planned schedule but on the unity, on Jesus in our midst - the real facilitator of the congress. Is this a new kind of conducting congresses? I asked to myself, and the answer is: yes and it is something new and liberating, at least for me.
Not being chained to time and schedule, I have learned the beauty of living the present moment, only to love not in the past nor in the future but to be linked to the eternal present by loving the other facilitators and listen deeply what is the Holy Spirit suggesting, moment by moment to bring the congress forward.
It made me realize that my old way of time management is not the only way to be effective but there is in fact an infinite way to do it since love is always creative and invents infinite ways and suggestions. I realized that it gives me a freedom of the present, less tensive, more free and beautiful, smooth and easy as long as there is mutual love amongst us.
Oh how I failed to see the beauty of living and loving in the present. I am used to worry about the future and brood about the past missing the present which is the only time I could love and touch the divine, the eternal present. How foolish I am to fail to see the world outside like a fish in the acquarium, I failed the see the beauty of the world of love and true relationships. From now on, I will be open to this possiblity or freedom, of growth and an adventure which could make me discover the eternal plan of God for me. Perhaps it is good to make it a try!