Bruised fruits 상한 과일

                                                    

Our life is mingled with duality and possibility. Positive and negative, day and night, the sky and the sea, love and hatred, unity and confrontation, weakness and strength, joy and suffering are intertwined to weave the most interesting human history.

Every reality of our society is flowing and encounters one another with some sense of duality and possibility. Growing old, and experiencing and adventuring further means learning to appreciate uniqueness and differences as they are in the midst of the duality and variety of life.

Even today, some people are fasting, but still, others enjoy munching an apple. Some people try to reveal and post the harsh realities of our sad society with bloody pictures, but still, others are willing to share and talk about the beauty of life events full of gratitude, joy, intuition, and happiness. As it is, all of us coexist with colorful, inspiring, and touching life experiences.

Muslims fast from 5:30 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. for a month in July. Fasting from dawn to sunset, they think of the poor who don't have much food to eat, pray more and help those in need.

During this period of Ramadan, Muslims refrain not only from food but also liquids, smoking, and sexual relations. They are also mindful of swearing, disagreeing, and backbiting.

Since they have to fast the whole day, the special market with a wide range of Muslim foods is open for a month near the flats. So, most Muslims buy food thereafter at 7:15 p.m.

Today while taking a walk for about two hours or so (I walk a long distance every Monday), I browsed various mini-food stores in line to see the variety of food.

Observing their ways of practicing faith is quite interesting. I don't know why, but the topic that lingers in my heart these days is the bruised fruits. The fruits sound luxurious and affluent; the fruits are surely an abundant and generous sign of the endless and unconditional love of God for humanity. Appreciating various fruits always pleases me. The fruits make me happy and cheerful.

So I often praise and give thanks to God, who created all kinds of colorful fruits in each season. So diverse, beautiful, and unique are the shapes and tastes of the fruits. Like hobbies, fruits add a special charm and flavor to staple foods.

Living in a country with only one season, summer, and the fruits help me to sustain health in balance. Enjoying one fruit after a meal is worth much more than getting sick and taking medicine. It is a good way of preventing illness.

When I lived alone in the Philippines about 25 years ago, I used to cook a small portion of rice with several kinds of beans in a little cooking pot in the dormitory. Instead of taking meat, I preferred beans. In this way, I found one way to live a simple life as in Walden that Henry David Thoreau aspired to live in harmony with nature.

Together with the beans, the tropical fruits and the fruit ice cream were the major nutritious foods I intentionally took from time to time for my survival. Especially when I had a headache or when I needed some refreshment, the fruits and ice cream provided me with some composure and contentment.

Now I live another level of extraordinary religious life in a foreign country. Being quite independent, efficient, and responsible, I am learning to take care of myself. Basic necessities are provided in common, but we have to control and manage our extra needs beyond the basic necessities.

Nowadays as we work hard to raise the building fund for the convent, I notice our fruits served at the table become smaller and smaller. Nevertheless, nobody complains about it because we are wholly dedicating ourselves to saving money.

When we go to the market late in the afternoon or evening, we can buy some bruised or disfigured fruits at a lower price. Not always, but usually the bruised fruits taste better.

Sometimes extra fruits are given by providence. Whether I take the bruised fruits or not, I am so grateful for all the wonderful gifts given under the gesture of universal faith and unconditional love.

So we go on our spiritual journey. We live abundantly and cheerfully. At the same time, we also live frugally and simply. Each moment is truly mingled with diverse colors of life.

 The Korea Times/ Thoughts of the Times/ July 22, 2014

                                          http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2014/07/162_161420.html