As I venture out into new places, I am constantly struck by the beauty of God’s Creation. From the towering mountains to the lush forests, churches, museums, and cities, and watching plays and drama, each place I visit is a testament to the immense creativity and artistry of the Divine. Everywhere I look, I see a rich tapestry of colors, shapes, and textures, woven together in perfect harmony. Creations, places, and their beauty, in particular, are a source of endless fascination and joy for me. They seem to embody the very essence of God’s goodness and love, in the way they grow and flourish in every environment. Each time I pass by a patch of greenery, I marvel at the array of colors and shapes that greet my eyes. Some creations are delicate and fragile, while others are sturdy and resilient. Yet each one is a masterpiece of design and engineering, crafted by the hand of the Creator. I am filled with a deep sense of appreciation and reverence for these living beings. In their silent presence, I feel a connection to something greater than myself, a sense of awe and wonder that transcends words. I speak to them in the language of the heart, expressing my gratitude and admiration for their beauty and resilience. It is a lesson that my father taught me when I was young: to cherish and appreciate the places and environment and its beauty, for they are a mirror of the Creator. They teach me about the cyclical nature of life, about the joys and sorrows that come with each passing season. They remind me of the importance of conserving our natural resources and treating the earth with respect and care. And so, as I gaze upon the plants that surround me, I am filled with a deep sense of peace and contentment. Their beauty and goodness are a balm to my soul, a reminder of the infinite love and creativity of God. I am grateful for their presence in my life and for the lessons, they teach me about living in harmony with the world around me.
In addition, as I gaze upon the vast beauty of the land and its various places, I find myself questioning what exactly makes it so beautiful and good. At first glance, it may appear as though we all step on the same ground and walk on the same land, but upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that it is the people and their unique cultures that make each place distinct. The land provides us with a place to call home, and it is through the different languages, customs, traditions, and food of the people that I can see the true essence of the land. Each land has its unique shape, from the flat plains to the towering mountains, forests, and islands, and each one holds its special value. To me, they are like God’s memorials and museums, reminding me of His presence and the wonders of His creation. I like to think of them as the land of consolations, where I can find peace and solace amidst the chaos of life.
Furthermore, whenever I visit a new place, I am reminded of my native land and my hometown. In times of prayer, the land provides a sense of God’s presence, and in times of desolation, it offers relaxation for my body and spirit. For me, the land is not just a physical space, but it is God’s very dwelling place. He communicates Himself through the beauty of the land, and I am reminded that He is always with me, wherever I go. I need to recognize and appreciate the presence of God in everything around me. When I open my eyes and my mind to truly understand, and my heart to appreciate all the good things, I can see that the land bears a thousand and thousands of creations, each one offering consolation and healing to my life.
Moreover, all these experiences happen in junior time. Junior time is a time of experiences, full of memories and wonders. These experiences help to dig deeper into the core of the value of life because I believe Jesuit education is to educate the whole person “holistic education” which means body, mind, and spirit. Throughout the learning in one year in the Juniorate program, I found myself solid and rooted enough in knowledge and faith. Even though I encountered struggle somehow in my learning, because I have my limitations and weaknesses too, not clear however, I may say to myself “I am ready enough to proceed and navigate to the next chapter of my studies.” Navigating junior studies “humanities studies” is a moment to discover one’s talents, skills, and capacities. At the same time, junior time is a time of familiarity and incorporation fully with Jesuit life. I heard many saying that “Juniorate is a time to enjoy.” Yes indeed, juniorate time is enjoyment because we have a lot of time to travel and explore new places. For me, “aside from traveling and exploring new places, Juniorate is an opportunity that is filled with so many blessings and graces. It’s more on unveiling one’s gifts and talents: gifts to share and talents to show. Throughout a year in junior formation, I discovered my natural gifts and talents that were hidden in my previous life that I never put into practice and reality. Even though I had it before the gifts and talents, it remains veiled because no one pushed me. I am lucky to be here and part of the junior formation in the Philippine province. Honestly, before, I could not stand in front of a big audience, I never led programs in big events, and I felt lacking in confidence at all to deal with the many people. Luckily, I am here in the Philippines province “Loyola House of Studies (LHS) and Formation.” I am so grateful to the teachers who journeyed together with me and helped push me to discover and pursue my studies. I am so proud and grateful heart to LHS, which provides such a great opportunity to learn and prepare me fully for myself to be a solid and rooted Jesuit in knowledge, love, and faith.
We have finally reached the end of our junior program, culminating in the graduation of LST (Loyola School of Theology) on May 8, 2024, at the Gesu church. Our program ended with a play called “Grace in Communion”. We feel blessed to have journeyed together as one batch-mate, despite coming from different nationalities such as the Philippines, Singapore, China, and Timor-Leste. We ventured together as friends in the Lord, despite our different cultures and personalities, and we are united in Jesus Christ. Despite our weaknesses and brokenness, we are one in Christ. We have helped each other and shared laughter and joy during the year of our formation.
By: Sch. Trosílio de Jesus. SJ