Bridge between ‘near and distance’
Last summer I spent roughly a month in Gallarate, an infirmary for retired and sick priests. One evening when I was reading newspaper, a senior priest came to me and said, “You are a young man. Tell me something about facebook?” I did not expect such question but it was easy for me to answer his question. At the end I asked him, why he wanted to know about facebook and willingly offered my help if he intended to open a facebook account. He gave a big smile, took a chair and sat next to me. Then we had a long chat together. Among the many topics we dealt I still remember the event of his fast encounter with facebook. Let me tell you briefly what he shared with me.
He went for summer holidays along with another few priests. There was a particular priest, who teaches in a reputed university, was seen often with his iPod. He would be typing always. Out of curiosity, this senior priest asked him what he was doing with this small device. The university professor told him that he had almost four thousands followers on facebook, who would ask him questions related to faith and spirituality. He would answer them and he considers it was his mission to reach out to many.
At this point that senior priest told me that he had appreciated his good work but it would have been really good if he could spend sometimes with his friends who were with him. And then he looked at me and said in a soft voice, “Always give time to the people who are around you. Do not get addicted to machines, they do not have any heart!” I must admit that I liked the conversation of that evening. It was really thought-provoking. I decided to follow his advice
Then my busy life began once bell rang for the university. Suddenly the other day I remembered that ‘chat’. Why? Let me unfold to you…The other day we had a community gathering. It was relaxed evening, we were having chat. At one point I remembered that I had made a skyp appointment with a friend. I rushed to my room and chatted with my friend for more than an hour. But at the end of the conversation when closed my computer I remember that words of that particular senior priest. I could have finished with my friend within five minutes and spend more time with my community members!
It was another occasion when my words contradicted my action. And then I asked myself, “How can I bridge between near and distance?”
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