IL PRINCIPE (The Prince)

In a faraway kingdom of Alliv, a boy was born. His birth was extraordinary for the church bells were ringing even though that jubilation is reserved for the kings and royals. The boy was baptized on the day the church refused to open, but still he was given such exemption and named, Odracir. Long after they knew he was a prince. He is a prince by right, for his grandparents were once kings of the land.

The boy grew in wisdom and knowledge and studied under the great minds of the land. At the young age he showed a lot in different aspects such as mental skills, physical strength and wit. He got a lot talents and he excelled on those talents. The boy was a versatile artist. Indeed, he was created to be the best. But Odracir had a weakness. His arrogance would always pull him down. He has this strong authority and pride. But despite Odracir has this malevolent character, he kept a strong faith. His desire was to be a mediator to the gods and men. For him, the only way for a man to attain greatness is to be united with the deities. He traveled to another part of the world just to learn the power, divinity and omnipotence of the gods. He met several prophets and learned from their teachings. Until such time he was able to be anointed and ready to take part of his lifelong dream. But before that, Odracir had to return home for he had been long gone and he wishes to tell his family about the things he attained and learned.

Upon his return, Odracir met Eevra, a princess with such beauty that glows like the sun and eyes of the diamond stars. Odracir fell in love with Eerva, and he courted her. Eerva was stunned on Odracir’s chivalrous ways, and she too fell in love with him. Odracir gave Eerva the most precious gift only reserved to be given to the gods. He gave her his life.  Their love was so perfect to imagine, but the gods were jealous about it for Odracir had chosen Eerva more than the gods and he gave his life to her. The gods ordered the demon Le Moel to take form into man and tricked Eerva away from Odracir for the princess had also taken their anointed one away from them. Eerva’s love to Odracir was so weak that she fell into the demon’s temptation. The demon Le Moel dragged Eerva into his realm and showed her all the vanities that could blind her away from Odracir. Poor prince, there’s nothing he could do but weep in agony and in pain because his love was taken away from him. Odracir stormed the temple of the gods with his prayers until they could hear them. He bawled to them with his anger and hopelessness, that he prayed someday his love would come back. The gods heard his plea and would grant it to him if he passes the entire tests given.

The first test was the test of strength. Odracir has to remain on his foot no matter how hard the pain and hit could be. The gods brought him to the highest peak of the Mt. Awamit, in the land of Olom. It was the place where Odracir and Eerva would spend much time being together and where Odracir promised Eerva that she is the only woman he will love forever. Now the gods transformed that memorable place into a place of agony. The gods blew tough winds that whenever it strikes Odracir, his flesh bleeds. But he remained firm yet struggling to survive. Then the gods roared thunder upon Odracir. The sound almost deafened him but he stood his ground. Then came hail from the sky that strikes Odracir anywhere and in any part of his body. The gallant prince was so resistant in giving up and faced the hard blows given to him by the gods. His faith and love made him invincible to all these sufferings.

The second test was the test of his weakness. The gods showed him a mirror to world where Eevra is. Odracir saw the unfaithful affair of Eevra to the treacherous demon Le Moel. He also heard the curses of Eevra to him. His heart was torn to pieces but he never refused to give up. The Demon Le Moel showed that he is far better than Odracir when it comes to pleasing Eerva. But Odracir remained unbreakable to all of the demon’s game. He should not show arrogance and pride for thus if this happens, he will lose his mind and turn away from Eerva and there is no way of winning her back.

A demon will always be a demon. Le Moel had this desire to be the anointed one rather than Odracir. He planned not only to ruin Odracir but also the gods. He created a woman filled with lust. He created a woman better than Princess Eerva. Le Moel made Eppla to tempt Odracir. If Odracir fell in love with Eppla, it will again displease the gods and also it will break his promise to Eerva. The promise he made in the gardens of Olom, infront of the temple of the gods. Eppla tempted Odracir with lust, kindness, appreciation and sweetness. Things that he would always hope for Eerva to give. Odracir was about to give in, when an angel came to give him rescue. The angel Ereni shattered Eppla’s head with her sword, and thus awakens Odracir from his temptation. Ereni helped Odracir to recover and persuaded him not to give up on the test.

The gods were so angry to the demon Le Moel. So, came with the third and final test. Odracir has to do nothing while the demon will slay Eerva while she is asleep. Odracir was confused. Why he has to do nothing while is love’s life is on the line? This is the test of faith. Odracir must have faith is his love is real and true, Eerva must wake up and will be the first to slay the demon Le Moel before it slays her. This will justify if Eerva also loves Odracir. The gods blew the Zephyr wind to put Eerva into slumber.  The brave prince began to feel useless in this final quest. All he can do now is to go down on his knees and pray to the gods. That the deities will grand wisdom and open the eyes of Eerva, that everything around her are just lies presented by the Demon Le Moel. The Angel Ereni never leaves the side of Odracir.She continued to protect the young prince while he continued to pray even up to now. Hoping that someday, Eerva will open her eyes and kill the demon Le Moel. While praying, he is also plotting another way how to save his true love. He needs to slay the Demon by himself even if it loses his life.

Loving Pain and Suffering.... Beata Chiara Luce Badano

Sickness

Summer 1988. Then something totally unforeseen happened.
While playing tennis one day, Chiara Luce experiences a very sharp pain in her shoulder. At first she does not take much notice and neither does her doctor. However, since the pain persists, the doctor carrys out further tests. The verdict: osteogenic sarcoma – one of the most serious and painful forms of cancer and it has already started spreading.

In February 1989, Chiara Luce undergoes her first surgery.
On hearing this news, Chiara Luce, after a moment’s silence, accepts the outcome courageously, without tears or rebellion. “I’m young. I’m sure I’ll make it,” she says.
Maria Teresa (Chiara Luce's mother): "I said to myself, now Chiara has said her 'yes' to Jesus, but how many times but how many times would she have to say this 'yes'; how many times will she fall; how many times would she have to repeat it during surgical operations and  in moments of pain. However, Chiara Luce takes twenty five minutes to say her 'yes' to God and from that moment on, she never looks back."
Her father, Ruggero narrates: “We were sure that Jesus was in our midst in that moment as he gave us the strength to accept it.” This was when a dramatic change took place in Chiara Luce’s life and her rapid ascent towards holiness began.

In June 1989, Chiara Luce undergoes a secondo surgery. This time, hopes are slim.
She is admitted to hospital many times and her kindness and unselfishness really stand out. Setting aside her own need to rest, she spends time walking around the wards with a drug-dependent girl suffering from serious depression. This meant getting out of bed despite the pain caused by the huge growth on her spine. “I’ll have time to rest later,” she says.

While Chiara Luce was in hospital, youth and adult friends of the Focolare Movement take turns in hospital in order to support her and her family. The treatment is painful and she wants to be informed of every detail of her illness. For each new, painful surprise, her offering is firm: "For you, Jesus, if you want it, I want it too!"
One day Chiara Luce writes: “Jesus sent me this illness at the right moment.”

Ferdinando Garetto, then one of the youth who shares the same choice of life as Chiara Luce, narrates: “At first we thought we would visit Chiara Luce to keep her spirits up, however, we soon realized that in fact, we were the ones who needed her. Her life was like a magnet drawing us towards her.” The cancer was spreading mercilessly, but Chiara Luce tried her best to live a normal and happy life.

One of the medical staff, Dr. Antonio Delogu, said, “Through her smile, and through her eyes full of light, she showed us that death doesn’t exist; only life exists.” She had to undergo surgery twice. The subsequent chemotherapy treatment caused her to lose her hair, which she was very proud of. As each lock of hair fell, she would say simply, but sincerely, “For you, Jesus”. Her parents, ever at her side, used to remind her that hidden in all of her sufferings there was a mysterious plan of God.

The philosopher Cioran once said, “Has anyone ever seen a joyful saint?” Anyone who knew Chiara Luce could certainly say ‘yes’, as Jesus became more and more her “Spouse”.

In July 1989: the tumour spreads quickly. Chiara Luce is not yet 18 years of age and she loses the use of her legs. She tells her mother: "I really used to enjoy cycling around." And her mother replies, "If Jesus has taken away the use of your legs, he will give you wings."

When she lost the use of her legs, Chiara Luce said, “If I had to choose between walking or going to heaven, I would choose going to heaven.” With the last CAT scan, all hopes of remission disappeared.
Slowly slowly, Chiara Luce starts having the foreboding of death: "Mum, is it fair to die at 17 years of age?" and her mother replies, "I do not know. I only know that it is important to do God's will, if this is his plan for you." Whenever she heard this, Chiara Luce would redouble her efforts to love. So, for example, she gave all her savings to a friend leaving on a humanitarian mission to Africa, saying, “I have everything. I don’t need this anymore.”

At one point, Chiara Luce suffers a severe bleeding and she is in danger of dying. Her youth friends take turns in praying all night. The doctors are in doubt whether to carry out a blood transfusion and prolong her suffering or just let her pass away.... They decide to carry out the transfusion. Fomr that moment, Chiara Luce lives another year, a year which is very decisive for her.

For this last year, Chiara Luce is completely immobile in bed: through telephone calls she follows an emerging group of Youth for a United World (Y4UW) of Savona. She also participates in their congresses and activities through messages, postcards and posters, and she tries to spread the spirituality of unity among her friends and school companions. She actually invites many of them forGenfest '90 (an international Youth for a United World gathering, held in Rome in May of 1990). She has the joy of watching the Genfest '90 through a satellite dish antenna mounted for this purpose on the rood of her home.

She has always Chiara Lubich's support and the latter writes her the following, “God loves you immensely and wants to penetrate the depths of your soul in order to allow you experience heaven on earth.”

She refuses to take morphine, saying: “It reduces my lucidity,” and she adds, “and there’s only one thing I can do now: to offer my suffering to Jesus because I want to share as much as possible in his suffering on the cross.”

First Focolarino Martyr - Alberto Fernandez

Eight years ago, on a day like today, his lifeless body was found in a field. Alberto, the first focolarino “martyr”, as Chiara Lubich called him.

Alberto was born in the small Uruguay town of Salto, the first of two sons of farmers. His father died when he was only 11 years old and he was forced by the circumstances to grow up quickly and help his mother in taking care of the family. This formed a strong character in him which made his relationships with others difficult. But he was helped by his generosity, by his love for life and his preference for the poor. Outgoing, passionate, eager to know, he delved into school first and then in the parish and, soon after, he came into contact with the Focolare. With the Focolare, he had his first experience away from home, at Mariapolis Lia, which is a Focolare town immersed in the endless pampas of Argentina. He took a degree in Medicine and left for Africa – after having become a focolarino – to work in the hospital at the Mariapolis in Fontem, Cameroon.

His sense of beauty led him to begin painting the things he loved: African people and landscapes – all in his own style. During a stay in San Paolo, Brazil, to take a course in tropical medicine, and especially AIDS, two young men offered him a lift in their car. His relatives and friends searched for him for 14 long days, with anguish and hope. On a day like today, 2 November 2002, the day when we remember the dead, his lifeless body was found in a sugar cane thicket. That year the Church included his name to the list of martyrs as the only lay-person.

Here is an excerpt from the book: “I belong to God” which narrates Alberto’s life:

Saturday 2 November, All Souls Day.
The search began again early this morning. Finally, one of the murderers confessed and led us to the site of the crime, in a rural area called Gurupá, between the cities of Promissão e Avanhandava. There was Alberto’s lifeless body, hands bound, slaughtered like a lamb.

His body was taken to the Legal Medical Institute of Lins for an autopsy.Two agonizing weeks had gone by since his disappearance. Since he was a foreigner, the DIG of Baurù informed the Uruguay Consolate.

"Just as we were with the police at the most difficult moment when we discovered the body – says Allan, one of Alberto’s friends – "Chiara Lubich telephoned to assure us of her closeness. Her words were so reassuring:Alberto died on his way to a mission. . . . He’s our first focolarino martyr."

As we put down the telephone, something she had written years earlier came to our minds:
". . . a bloody design stands out from our life. . . which nails our soul in a single resolve: To shed that blood in Your chalice and to tell you, and retell you, and repeat to you. . . our yes to the martyrdom of Your will that seems so unequivocal." (1)

The Summit of Love

"At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice,

‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’" (Mt.27,46)

It is the climax of His sufferings,

it is His interior passion.

It is the tragedy of a God Who cries out:

"My God, my God why have you forsaken me?".

The infinite mystery of the abyssal suffering

which Jesus experienced as a man.

It is the measure of His love for man.

He wanted to take upon Himself

the separation between God and man

and men from each other.

And He bridged the infinite gap of that separation.

All human sufferings are summarised

in that particular suffering of Jesus.

Those who are in anguish, who are lonely

or in a state of aridity,

the disappointed, the failed, the weak:

are they not all, in a way, similar to Him?

Is He not the image of any painful division

among the members of a family?

By loving Him, Christians

find the reason and the strength

not to escape from suffering, from evil, from division,

but to accept them, thus making a personal contribution of their own.

Jesus the Forsaken is the key to unity.

Love's Death

When it seems that you feel Love is dying... Make sure you believe in Resurrection.....

When you feel Love is signing for DNR..... Make sure to hold on to its threadlike breath....

When you see that Love is undergoing Cardiac Arrest..... Make sure you believe it can still recover....

When you feel that Love is fading away..... Pray for a Second Chance....

When your LOVE is facing its impending Death ...... Learn how to Accept...

..... But.....

Learn not to FORGET that in your LIFE.... there was a moment.....

                   ................ that you have LOVED........ and you believed in LOVE.......

Teardrops

Once there were two teardrops floating by the river.

One teardrop asked the other:

“Who are you?”

-          “I’m the teardrop of a girl, who is truly in love with a guy, but I lost him. And who are you? “

In reply, the teardrop said:

 “I’m the teardrop of a boy, who is deeply in love with a girl, and regretted letting her go…”

Artist ‘Strokes

As I scaled you through my pen,

I can’t imagine how a masterpiece shall be made.

When I started my strokes,

I never expected that it will present beauty from an artist’s hand.

With every line I drew,

Love blends with every hue.

With every strokes I made,

Shines beauty in every color I had laid.

Love has been an inspiration for an artist’s hand,

Whenever the brush on a canvass had to land.

Yet colors in a canvass may fade through time,

But love will never go because I know it’s mine.

Still an artist will be the master for its art,

But love will always give inspiration, its leading part.

And when the artist had to retire from his work,

And took the moment he wanted to acquire.

While he sits on the couch by the hearth-side,

Thinking of true love that he desires.

Not a canvass to him could donate,

Nor the brush strokes could create.

Now the artist had to pray,

That his masterpiece will come to reality one day and say:

“ Here am I my maker, no longer in tones of sepia and clay.

No longer of colors made by your fantasy,

With dazzling backgrounds of beautiful scenery.

I am here to bring both love and pain,

So that the art of love will forever remain…”

Yes To You

So many times that I've said maybe.
So many times that I've said no.
So many later's that never came to pass,
but now I say my yes to You.

So many times  I've hesitated.
So many times  I've turned away.
So many moments that I have had to choose,
but now I give my yes to You.

Yes to  You, I want to find You.
Yes to  You, yes today.
Yes to  You, I want to choose You.
Yes to  You, yes today.

So many times  I've almost made it.
So many times  I've looked for You.
So many simple words that I let slip away,
but now I give my yes to You.

Yes to You...

I LOVE YOU

I love you

not because I have learned to tell you so;

not because my heart suggests these words,

not even because faith has made me believe

that you are love;

and not even because you cried for me.

I love you

because you have entered into my life

more than the air in my lungs,

more than the blood in my veins.

You have come and entered

where no one could enter;

when no one could help me,

each time no one could console me.

Every day I have spoken with you.

At every moment I have looked at you

and in your countenance

I have found the answer;

in your words the explanation;

in your love the solution.

I love you

because for many years

you have lived with me

and I have lived with you.

I drank from your love,

and did not know it.

I was nourished with it,

became strong in it

I found new courage,

but I was unaware of it

like a child who drinks its mother's milk

and still does not know

how to call her by that sweet name.

Help me to be grateful

- at least a little -

in the time which is left to me,

for this love that you have given me

and has compelled me to tell you

I love you