The round forest with four corners

06 Apr 2020

#Christ, #community, #prayer, art

Reading the title of this article what do you think, is there such a forest? How do you imagine it? Who would live in a place like this? Now I invite you to stop for a moment and imagine.

The round forest with four corners is the title of a collection of fairy tales by a Hungarian writer, Ervin Lazar. At the beginning of the story we don’t find a description of this forest. The writer leaves this point open and immediately begins to introduce the characters. The place is created through their connections. The protagonist is called “Mikkamakka”, a cat who invites several marginalized characters to the forest: Siegfried Bruckner, an old artist lion, Serafin Horse, a blue steed, Aromo, the smart rabbit that failed the running test, “Vacskamati”, the wild cat, Big Zoard, the pine tree that can walk, Beast Louis, who is good-hearted with a heart of gold and finally Domdodom, who can say no other word but this: domdodom.

What an interesting group! It seems that all of them have some flaws, but in this forest they can live with joy, in peace and being themselves. Seeing us novices, we are not very different from these characters. We too have our flaws, our weaknesses and the need to feel at home where we can be ourselves.

In this period of covid-epidemia we in the novitiate are living in a privileged state. That is, every day we encounter Jesus through the Eucharist. Something very similar happens during Mass as in Ervin Lazar’s forest: on the square altar Jesus will be visible in the round host and invites us to union. At this moment our chapel becomes a round forest where we meet in the love of Jesus, who helps us to love and accept ourselves and our companions. By meeting this love we are also invited to share it. Using the same words of the Hungarian writer, we become “Mikkamakka”, that is, apostle of love.

For the majority of people this kind of encounter is not possible now. Therefore I would like to invite all those who wish to meet Jesus in the Eucharist to imagine this sacred forest.

Let us begin our contemplation in this way: Where is this forest? Big or small? What kind of trees do I see? I can stop at every little detail. Once I have created the place I continue to put on the scene all the people living around me, I look at them with their shortcomings, weaknesses and even their talents. Then I continue to imagine a square altar that can also be that of my parish. And finally I put in this image the round host. Then I contemplate this scene: the physical space, the people, the Eucharist. Now I have the possibility of remaining on this moment. I can stay for long minutes, which is not possible during Mass.

Contemplating this scene, I slowly open my heart and before I begin to speak with Jesus, I remain silent. I let Him talk to me first. I leave room for Him. I let Him enter into my heart. Now in this intimate and sacred moment comes the moment of conversation. I talk to Jesus as I would talk to someone who whispers in my ear. Perhaps I hear Jesus inviting me into his heart. I continue the conversation with the help of the Spirit and remain with Jesus. If I want, I can ask Him to stay with me all day long.

After this meeting I am no longer alone. With a thankful heart I continue my day and share the grace with all those I meet by inviting them to this round-square forest as Mikkamakka did.

Dániel Tímár, first years novice

Sullo stesso argomento

Contemplatives in action

by Gianluca Severin

The Jesuits preach the Word and lead exercises, celebrate the Eucharist and reconcile those who repent, walk with the least and the excluded, repair relationships, accompany young people, protect the creation, work in schools, prisons, hospitals, compose songs, they study the universe, they carry out all the works that seem useful to the glory of God and the common good… and, in doing so, they pray.
It is not easy: in the flow of events we struggle to grasp their spiritual meaning, immersed in work and relationships we rarely preserve the interior silence of eternal light in which God lives. This is why we begin the journey along the ways of the world in the quiet of the novitiate.

God called us, in a murmur of light breeze (1 Kings 19.12), to speak to our hearts.
Here the Father welcomes us and guards us, He embraces us, we whisper “Abba…”. The closer and united we become to the Creator, the more we receive His love and grace.
Here the Son saves us from the cold and gloomy boredom of an existence spent on myself, it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. (Gal 2.20), He unites us intimately to the desire to save every creature, to be sent into the world with a meek and humble heart, free and generous for every lost brother and sister.
Here the Spirit gives us faith, hope and love, in us flourish both the adoration and the commitment to the world.
Here we enter the mystery, in the intimacy with the Person. Whoever listens to His Word can also perceive His silence, so as to act through His Word and be recognized through His silence; our heart becomes altar of an incessant prayer, our life a living, holy, pleasing offering to God (Rom 12.1).
In the whirlwind of the days this interior silence allows us to remain in His presence and to see Him in all things.

Now the life that blooms, the radiant sun on our skin, the purity of the water between our fingers, the vigorous wind on our face resonate in us in praise.
The rejoicing with those who are in joy, the sadness with those who are in tears (Rom 12.15), the listening and welcoming, living and concrete love for each person, for the whole person resonate in us in serving.
Participating in the hopes and struggles of humankind, we live the desire for His Kingdom to come, for His will to be done.
For every gesture of kindness, for the beauty of every smile, for every glimpse of truth, for every free choice we can give thanks.
For every brother and sister, for those we meet, for those we help, for those who help us, for those who oppose us we can intercede.
For every selfishness, for every indifference, for every closure we can repent.
In the reality that challenges us we can listen and discern, ready and available to the signs of the Spirit.
What previously averted and distracted us is now the horizon in which we can seek and find God: our monastery is the world.

(Whoever wants to join the Company) Also make sure to have God before his eyes as long as he live, before anything else [Formula Instituti]