brewing thoughts

Melanie invited me to attend a lenten recollection prepared by IYG (International Youth Gathering) in Osaka on February 24. It’s been a while since I last attended any kind of recollection so I said “yes”.

The speaker for that recollection was Consul Senen Mangalile of the Philippine Consulate at Osaka. And someone shared after the talk. I learned many things in the talk and sharing but there are two words that would best summarize what the lenten recollection was about. LOVE and IMMERSION. Immerse ourselves in God’s love for us so we could love ourselves and love others as well.

the recollection ended with a presentation of the 7 last words. for every word, there’s a reflection and a song. probably my favorite reflections were for “It is finished.” and “I am thirsty.”

“It is finished.” I’ve known the draw bridge story since i was in college. but after hearing it again after many years and though Saint’s version was not the gory version that i know, it still had the same effect on me.

“It is finished.” That was the draw-bridge operator said to his boss at the end of his shift. “It is finished.” His boss had no idea what had happened that day. “It is finished.” The draw-bridge operator brought his son to work that day. He promised his son that he would bring him to an amusement park after his work. Being a child, his son asked him if he could play outside, and he said yes. The day passed quickly, and before his shift ended, he saw a ship coming towards the bridge. This would be my last ship for the day, he thought. When he heard the honk of the ship, he noticed that his son was playing in the middle of the bridge. He shouted at his son, but he’s too far to hear him. He shouted again and again, and the cruise ship was getting nearer and nearer. As seconds pass, the ship’s honking continously and it was getting louder and louder. Who would he save? His son or the people on the ship? Then he decided.. he pulled down the lever and the bridge was raised. As the ship passed by, he saw that it was a cruise ship, with people dancing and drinking. they’re so happy partying, oblivious of what had happened. they didn’t know what he had sacrificed for them to be saved. After the ship passed, he lowered the bridge and his day was finished. “It is finished.”

“I am thirsty.” All of us experience a certain ‘thirst’ in our lives, and we try our best to quench this thirst. Drinking and getting drunk with friends may quench this thirst for a while, but after the laughter and becoming sober, we’re still thirsty. We tried to quench this thirst with material things, buying the latest. But after a while, boredom will come and we’re still thirsty. We also tried to quench this thirst with relationships. Some platonic, some romantic, some just physical/sexual relationship. Though we’re with someone, we’re still feeling the same thirst. “I am thirsty.”

I’ve learned so many things on that one day. And I met so many new friends. And I had to admit, it was a bit nostalgic for me being there. To IYG, thanks for the very inspiring day. And to Melanie, thanks for inviting me there.

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