I was asked to write a reflection paper about my trip to Rome and other parts of Italy. As I try to recall what had happened during those days, I found myself dumbfounded. Thoughts and realizations kept flowing on my mind and I can't seem to organize what I really wanted to say. There are so many things learned and appreciated even before the actual flight to Italy. But I guess that would be another story. After all, I was supposed to put something about my experiences in Rome and not elsewhere. However, as I had written down on my little notebook the everyday events that had transpired in Rome, a distinct theme had echoed in my mind. From the huge, breath-taking, awe-inspiring churches, the delicious Italian dishes and cuisine, to the diversity of the cultures of people around us, one strong message was shouted to and at me: the Truth of God's love.
As I entered the different churches to pray, I couldn't focus on the message of the prayers, which was prescribed for me to read. As my group uttered some memorized prayers, my whole self was as if brought elsewhere in the holy sanctuary and was nearer to a gentle and smiling Jesus. In a gesture of an embrace, Jesus would welcome me in His holy presence and would tell me how much He loves me.
"My child, I love you so much and I want you to be always close to Me... I brought you to where the seat of your faith is... Thank you for believing in Me... in My presence you will find your strength renewed."
Oftentimes, I heard those words from Him, every time we entered a church or a place of worship. And the truth dawned on me as we walked the paths where Jesus himself appeared or traversed (I was referring to the Scala Santa or Holy Steps where Jesus was brought before Pilate.). "I died for your sake, my dear child... this is how I love you."
Even the food that we ate during our stay in Italy manifested God's great love for me. For our lunch during the Good Friday, we ate fillet-o-fish and fries from McDonald's Fast food. As Catholics and christians should know, Good Friday is the day we commemorate the passion, suffering and death of Jesus Christ. And a practice of Catholics was to be "with" Christ in His sufferings, which means trying to atleast refrain from any form of pleasure and luxuries, especially on that certain day of the year. What had happened was far from any form of suffering... because I have been craving for a McDonald's meal all month long. And it was given to me on a Good Friday. I thought of not eating it anymore but then I thought that I shouldn't be wasting any food given to me (and especially because we paid for it). I closed my eyes, and I felt that I saw Jesus smiling again at me. "Child, don't worry. This is how I love you."
And with the truth of God's love, the diversity of peoples would remind me that Jesus didn't die for just me... but for the whole humanity. And it is a moral obligation to be loving, to be concerned to all people, and not just to those whom you feel comfortable with.
And I realized through the beautiful artworks, frescoes made by human hands, was to be the best in whatever you do, especially if it will glorify our God.
