Catholic Times' priest columnist who writes on spiritual subjects
mentions a meal that he had with two young religious. They recalled the
times in their lives when they laughed and the times of sadness
they experienced.
During the discussion with the
two young religious he felt contentment in their presence, no need to
correct or agree, he was older than they were, and found the time with
them satisfying. When they left the restaurant and began walking they
saw a movie theater; the billboard was advertizing a family picture, one of the men recommended they see.
They checked
the time for the next showing of the movie. He was the only one not
keen in seeing the movie; he had a lot to do at the monastery but he
decided to join them, and bought the tickets. They went to a nearby place
to eat, for there is a stomach for a meal, and a stomach for snacks.
When the time came they left for the movie theater.
Since
it was a family movie there were a lot of young people there. Many
couples in their middle years. The movie was inspirational but the
columnist was mostly interested in the technical aspects, and the
acting. During the performance he heard something like a tank, and
noticed that a man on his right was asleep and snoring.
Shortly
after in an emotional segment he heard sobbing, and the blowing of
noses. On his left was a huge man who was crying while the actors and
actresses were just playing their role, his crying was for real. The
two religious were 100 percent immersed in the movie.
They were completely absorbed, more
involved than the actors themselves. The columnist was impressed with
their absorption. A couple of hours of not too extreme or excessive losing yourself in what you are doing, is a good way to clear the mind
and relax a person. Leaving the theater he was embarrassed in that he
was not able to lose himself in watching the picture. For him the
movie was in no way cathartic and because of that he felt he missed
something. He concludes the column by telling his readers a good way
to renew oneself is when you can immerse yourself in what you are
doing 100 percent.