St John's Life

Real wealth is the ability to think and to feel, not be possessed by possession. -St. John Baptist De La Salle

It was during our first meeting in BUS560M when our professor asks us to watch St. John Baptist De La Salle’s story and write a blog about it. She warns us that the story is somewhat long and we might get bored watching it.

I keep in mind what my professor told us, so I prepared coffee and snacks I could munch while watching. I didn’t expect, I could actually enjoy it.

While watching, I have pen and paper in hand and have written down list of scenes and lines that struck me most.

First, he offered friendship to Andre. Andre at the start of the story is a thief. John the Baptist, I believe has seen the goodness in him that nobody else’s does. In the end, Andre became a brother too.

Second, he gets the clothes of her sister and gives them to the poor. Her sisters scold her for doing so, but then he would say, they have plenty of clothes to wear whereas, the poor doesn’t.

Third, he gave opportunity to everyone who was willing to learn and teach. St. John did not keep to himself what he know, he shared it others so that others could share it to world.

Fourth, he sold his inheritance and bought a place where he put up a school. His dream was to fill the world with Christian schools. He gave up living in comfort and lives a simple life.

And, last his dreams are bigger than any obstacle that might come in his way.

Ours is society where what you have defines you. Materialism and vanity rule us. So are pre-occupied in acquisition of wealth and improvement of our lives – financially – that we forget how to truly live and that relationship are more important than any material things the world could offer.

Maybe, it is the will of the Holy Spirit that I watched St. John Baptist De La Salle’s story after my brief encounter with the Pope. These two figures have something in common; they both live simple lives and have shown mercy and compassion to the poor.

I came to reflect on my own life. If these two people, sinners like me could give this much love and compassion, I too could do it. It wouldn’t be an overnight change, but a step-by-step, little by little changes. I could start my being prudent in my expenses and start saving. Instead of keeping old clothes and toys, I could donate it so others could use them. I will be more considerate to others, especially in my workplace. And I will try to have a more positive outlook in life. Like De La Salle, I would not let obstacle come my way. I will dream big, plan my actions carefully and will claim them all.