VIRIDITAS2: SOUL GREENING
Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP
Hawaii Catholic Herald
On my 75th birthday, Marianist Father Stephen Tutas sent me an email. He always sends the brothers and the priests little “favorinos,” favorite sayings. This one said, “Be aware, be keenly aware of the action of the Holy Spirit in your life. So that, when you look back in gratitude and you look forward in hope, in that spirit of thanksgiving and confidence live fully in the present moment, in the presence of God.”
That last part, “in the presence of God,” got me thinking of how God is always present, but we have to be aware of God’s presence.
Since then, I have been practicing how to be in the presence of God not only when I celebrate the Eucharist, or when I am praying, but in every day, every moment of my life. God enters into our lives through people and events as well. For, in the great design of Providence, there are no accidents. God’s Providence is always active in our lives.
When we are alert, aware or mindful that God is always present, then we can live fully our Christian Catholic life knowing that we never walk alone. God is always with us. This practice of the presence of God is a great challenge for all of us. Yet, it enhances and deepens our union and communion with our God.
When we say, for example, that Father Chaminade is a man of faith, what does it mean to be a man or woman of faith? To be a man or woman of faith is to be aware of the divine presence. As Scripture says, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in their midst.” In the celebration of the Mass, which is a thanksgiving, we become aware of Christ with us through the readings and Gospel of the Liturgy of the Word. In the Liturgy of the Eucharist, his real presence manifests for us under the species of bread and wine.
At Saint Louis School we have the motto, “Memor et Fidelis” (Mindful and Faithful). To come to this state of being always mindful and faithful, present and attentive, takes practice. How do we do this? St. Ignatius of Loyola gives us one example. By actively imagining oneself in the Scriptures being read, along with using all of our senses, we become participants in the Scriptures and more aware of the presence of God walking with us.
Knowing that we are not alone, that we are part of the mystical body of Christ is important. The saints are also with us. God is with us. Our grandparents and all those who passed away are with us. They cheer us on. As the Persian poet Rumi said, “We are each just walking each other home.” And what is our home? Heaven.
One of my favorite prayers is a Jewish prayer. “Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha’olam.” “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe.” The more aware we become, we bless God. I try to practice that with my morning coffee as I thank God for the gift of another day of life filled with mercy, compassion and forgiveness.
Father Roland Bunda is a Marianist from Waialua, Oahu. He is 45 years ordained and 61 years professed. He resides at Hale Malia in Kalaepohaku on the Chaminade campus.
