28 Years ago, Holy Monday, then and now
I could not even remember where I stayed he night before, was it in the bishop's residence or was it in the seminary? And that was the night before my ordination 28 years ago in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, 1982, Holy Monday. We were three and my companions were very good till now. We were the ones left out of 36 who entered the seminary 12 years before, at the ages of 12-13. What do I remember however was when we prostrate ourselves on the floor even though it was carpeted, I felt not only my unworthiness but especially my incapacity. It was in fact this incapacity, symbolized by our connection to the ground, which made me recognized all my limitations that it would be impossible to go on without the grace of God. I felt that I was nothing and God was everything! He alone could make me faithful. He alone could inspire me. He alone is my strength, He is everything and He is God. Twenty eight years have passed and that I have not forgotten.
On the other hand, after those years, the belief in the love of God became more real, faith becomes a lifestyle and love is always a reality and truth that is always to be perfected. This God who has loved me is really the God who is present in the Church. The more I love HIm and enter into His reality, the more I am get in touch with my neighbors. It is like a must, a demand and likewise and invitation. A summon of a church bell, which attracts the soul in freedom and the more I am grateful, the more I am in love with God, the more the attraction to build true human and divine love iwth my neighbors beckon me. It is hard but not impossible with God. I could not but say "Thank You" and how I wish during my death, I could bring these neighbors in my heart to God as my way of expressing my gratitude.
