The Power of Imagination. (story adapted from: http://youtube/82d84rn306M)

Two retired servicemen, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One of them, called Jones was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room’s only window. The other man, Jack, had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, and their hobbies.

Every afternoon when Jones could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window. Jack began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake, according to Jones. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As Jones described all this in exquisite detail, Jack would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene outside.

One warm afternoon Jones described a parade of military men passing by. Although Jack could not hear the band, he could see it in his mind’s eye as Jones portrayed it in his descriptive words. Days turned into weeks and the two friends remained in the same hospital room. One morning, the day nurse arrived with water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of Jones, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, Jack asked if he could be moved to the bed by the window. The nurse obliged, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the beautiful world outside. He strained and slowly turned to look out of the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall.

Jack asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.

Dear young people, the beautiful world created in the mind of Mr. Jones in this story can be realized by people as ordinary as you and me. The founder of the FIC congregation, Fr. Louis Rutten imagined a better and healthier world for the suffering children of Maastricht during his time. He strongly believed that the unfortunate situation of these children could be transformed into a more dignified and caring one. He allowed the power of his imagination to create a world where the marginalized in society would realize their potentials and contribute to society. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Fr. Rutten devoted his time and energy, through his charity work, to bring into reality the lovely world he had imagined. Many people around the world today are beneficiaries of the improved world created by this priest. Therefore, any of you (us) can visualize a better world for the poor and underprivileged in our society today. That is what the FIC Brothers have been doing around the world since 1840, in our efforts to build the Kingdom of God through transforming numerous lives from despair to hope.  By this story, we are inviting young people around the world to join us in carving out a better world for the many vulnerable people around the world.

Bro. Raphael Besigrinee