In dialogue with Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti: “Happiness is being certain that God loves us”The stories of the Machida, of the Sakai, of the Nozomi, are emblematic experiences of the challenges that the Focolari finds itself confronting in Japanese society. The problems of the family and those of a society characterized by extreme consumerism and relativism, emerge clearly also in the dialogue with Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faleti. Posing the questions are a dozen people among the audience of young people and adults. Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti responded with simple and profound counsel, emphasizing above all the importance of “don’t be concerned because your numbers are small. What is important is to know that you have received a gift from God – that of the spirituality of communion – that is for each one of us, but also for others. The leavening is always small in respect to the flour, but must make it rise in order to become dough.”
And, furthermore, if it is true that we live in a world where often people, above all the young, are in the grip of desperation, we must remind ourselves that “happiness is the certainty that God loves us.” The one who has found it can make its presence known to those who are near him, with a testimony that talks of evangelical love. Maria Voce also emphasized that, as with all values present in this culture, if truly human, they are already, in some way, patrimony of Christianity. “Recognizing them as ours, we have the possibility of coming to know the whole Japanese culture as ours. Values must not lose their meaning, but, rather, must be discovered and praised. In this way, we can make an important, personal contribution to the culture of our own country.
Go forward in small steps!
“A message for those of us who live in Japan?” a young woman asked the President of the Focolare, at the end, who, without hesitating, said, “Feel happy because you have been chosen to live here. In these days I had the joy of finding many true brothers and sisters. I would never have thought that. Be happy to belong to this family. I leave happy for having found this family. You have entered my heart and I take you with me. I hope I have also entered into yours.”
In concluding, Maria Voce used the image of a very delicate, local dance, that was performed for her shortly before, in order to encourage everyone to move forward in small steps, as in the traditional dance of Japan. “Once taken, even if small, you will not go backwards, thanks to the fidelity that you have. And so, move forward in small steps!”
Roberto Catalano
Bellissimo!!! vale anche per noi in occidente. Grazie
Come dirti grazie Roberto per aver riportato qui le parole che Emmaus, in qualitá di Presidente del Movimento dei Focolari, ha donato ai nostri fratelli giapponesi? Vivendo l’Ideale al 100 % mi vien da rispondere! E cercheró con tutta me stessa di vivere cosí! Ma le parole di Emmaus sono utili anche per noi negli Usa dove ci si puó sentire soli date le enormi distanze (…)
non ho parole! Grazie Emmaus e Giancarlo. Avanti tutti assieme a piccoli passi ma con la sicurezza che Dio ci ama immensamente! gb
Grazie Grazie Grazie! Soprattutto delle testimonianze… Già avevo in cuore l’estremo oriente, ma ora mi pare veramente di essere stata in Giappone con Voi, e mi sento più “giapponese”…
È con grande gioia che, come missionario di un Istituto, il PIME che ha come preferenza l’Asia seguo il viaggio e le esperienze dei focolarini. Seguo ogni giorno apprendendo notizie sull’Osservatore Romano come la partecipazionne di Emmaus e Giancarlo all’incontro dei sacerdoti riuniti per progredire nell’anno sacerdotale. Seguo ogni giorno con molte preghiere allo Spirito Santo perchè il viaggio frutti tanto.