A Lesson in Life

My three weeks in Europe included four days in Madrid. This was my first time in Spain and it proved to be an absolute highlight in my trip.

I will give some background to help an understanding. There are four Provinces of the Order in Spain - the Philippines, Madrid, Castille and Spain. This all speaks of the Order's history, strength and tradition in Spain. The Philippines Province is their missionary Province and was started under Phillip II when Spain went to the Philippines. The Order obviously has ties with the establishment of Spain and this is reflected in the Order's presence at the Escorial which was Phillip II's palace and to today serves as the resting place for the Kings and Queens of Spain.

I stayed at the Provincial house of the Spain Province. It is centrally located in Madrid. It is a community for 12 to 15 men of the Order. One of them is the Provincial and is named Domingo but then the community features three Domingos and I couldn't work out which one was which, especially with one being away.

So here I am a guest in this house in Madrid. I found the experience to be very positive as all were so friendly and hospitable. One of the three Domingos was just incredibly kind and attentive towards me. He responded to my every need. He saw to it that my appointments for my work were organised. He would take me on his nightly walks with the community. He would check that I saw what was inportant to see and took me on a day trip to the Escorial. If anything, he was just too kind and I just found it overpowering.

Then on my last day in Madrid, on our last walk, I asked Domingo,
"Who is the Provincial?"
He simply responded with
"I am"
I was just in internal shock. I was in internal 'O, my God' mode.

This man is the Provincial, responsible for a Province of 250 men, with parishes, schools and all other sorts of ministries here in Spain and elsewhere. This man has so much to do but yet he has given his past four days to me, he had just been so ever attentive of me and my needs. There was a huge lesson in this for me. It told me yet again, it reminded me about what really is important in life and that is simply making time for each other. No matter who we are keep the prespective on what matters in life - people, each other.

Without giving any class or sermon, this one of the three Domingos taught me so much and I am just so grateful. His way of teaching was just to be so kind and unassuming and just to be attentive to the other. In this case, the other was me. All I can say is "Thank you" and I have taken the lesson on board. Domingo, for you, I am most grateful. Muchas gracias!