Buenos Dias Espiritu Santo - Cap 02 - Desde Jaffa hasta lo ultimo de la tierra

Chapter 2: A Promise to God

The transcript delves into the story of a woman, Clemens, in December 1952, who makes a heartfelt plea to God for a son due to societal pressures and personal struggles.

Clemens' Desperation and Prayer

• Clemens, feeling destroyed by bitterness, fear, and shame, gazes at the sea from her hospital room window.

• Despite being Greek Orthodox and not deeply religious, Clemens negotiates with God for a child out of desperation.

• She fervently prays to God for a child, promising to return the child back to Him.

Family Pressures and Cultural Expectations

• Society expects male heirs; Constantí's family pressures Clemens due to her inability to bear a son.

• Constantí's family mocks Clemens for not having a son as per tradition, leading her to tears and shame.

A Prophetic Dream

• Clemens dreams of Jesus asking for one of six roses she holds; interprets it as a sign.

• The dream foreshadows the birth of the narrator on December 3rd, 1952; symbolizing divine intervention.

Early Life in Jaffa

The narrative shifts towards the narrator's childhood in Jaffa (Israel), highlighting his diverse cultural upbringing amidst historical turmoil.

Multicultural Upbringing

• Born in Israel but not Jewish; raised in an Arab culture with Greek Orthodox roots.

• Educated in Catholic institutions by nuns and monks; reflects on the significance of his birthplace.

Historical Significance of Jaffa

• Jaffa's rich history predates biblical events; endured invasions by various rulers throughout centuries.

• Narrator's father was mayor of Jaffa during his childhood; describes Jaffa as an international city with diverse languages and cultures.

Cultural Fusion and Identity

• Growing up in cosmopolitan Jaffa shaped the narrator's identity as he navigated multiple cultural influences.

• Recalls the vibrant atmosphere of Jaffa where different languages were spoken and diverse traditions coexisted harmoniously.

Conclusion

Early Life and Religious Experiences

The speaker reflects on his childhood, upbringing in a religious household, and a profound spiritual encounter with Jesus.

Childhood and Family Dynamics

• The speaker's father was offered an ambassadorship but chose to stay in Afa due to time constraints, leading to limited family time.

• Despite the father's strict demeanor, the mother provided affectionate gestures within the family, reflecting cultural norms.

• Raised in a Catholic environment, the speaker's education included Catholic schooling and church attendance.

• The speaker's early religious devotion led to a structured prayer life centered around Catholicism.

Religious Education and Social Challenges

• Struggling with stuttering from a young age affected social interactions, isolating the speaker from peers.

• Attending a college taught by friars deepened the speaker's religious fervor but limited his spiritual understanding.

Profound Encounter with Jesus

The speaker recounts a vivid vision of encountering Jesus during his childhood that left an indelible impression on him.

Vision of Jesus

• In a deep sleep, the speaker saw Jesus in a vision with striking details like white attire and nail marks on his hands.

• Feeling an electrifying sensation during the encounter, the speaker recognized Jesus without prior knowledge of him.

• Jesus' presence brought comfort and awe as he smiled at the speaker before disappearing without speaking.

Impact of Vision

• The powerful vision left a lasting impact on the young speaker, instilling a sense of divine connection and wonder.

New Section

The speaker reflects on their family's journey from Israel to Canada, detailing the political tensions in Israel during the 1960s and the decision to emigrate.

Family's Emigration Journey

• The family contemplates leaving Israel for a new life in another country.

• Political tensions escalate in Israel as the speaker's father plans for the family to emigrate.

• Challenges with visas and uncertainties surround the decision to move.

• A deal with God is made for a successful departure from Israel.

New Section

The speaker describes their departure from Jerusalem and arrival in Toronto, highlighting the challenges and adjustments faced in a new country.

Arrival in Toronto

• Departure from Jerusalem triggers mixed emotions about leaving behind a special city.

• Reflection on historical sites in Jerusalem before departing for Toronto.

• Emotional farewell to familiar places while en route to Toronto.

Opening and Early Work Experience

The speaker recounts their early work experience, including seeking employment at a kiosk selling hamburgers and ice cream despite lacking prior work experience. They also describe an encounter with a colleague named Bob who displayed unusual behavior related to religious scriptures.

Fairview Commercial and First Job

• Despite lacking work experience, the speaker applied for a job at a kiosk in Fairview where they sold hamburgers and ice cream.

• Accepted for the job, they diligently worked after school every day.

• Demonstrated initiative by asking the manager at a market for olive oil, fulfilling a personal vow by placing it in front of an altar.

Encounter with Religious Conversations

The speaker reflects on interactions with a colleague named Bob who displayed eccentric behavior involving religious scriptures, leading to challenging conversations about faith and beliefs.

Interaction with Colleague Bob

• Encountered a colleague named Bob at the kiosk who covered its walls with scripture verses.

• Initially perplexed by Bob's actions but later engaged in discussions about religion and faith.

• Struggled to comprehend Bob's fervor for sharing his beliefs, leading to attempts to distance oneself from him.

Profound Dream Experience

The speaker narrates a vivid dream that profoundly impacted their spiritual journey, involving symbolic imagery and encounters within an abyss-like setting.

Profound Dream Sequence

• Described descending down a steep staircase into an abyss-like space while bound as a prisoner among others.

• Encountered enigmatic figures resembling dwarves moving around in the misty abyss.

• Experienced liberation from chains upon interaction with an angelic being, symbolizing spiritual freedom and guidance.

Spiritual Awakening Through Prayer Meeting

The speaker shares an impactful moment of spiritual awakening during a prayer meeting at school, highlighting unexpected experiences that challenged preconceived notions about faith.

Spiritual Awakening Event

• Reluctantly joined a prayer meeting where fellow students prayed fervently in unknown languages.

• Witnessed peers engaging passionately in worship, prompting introspection on personal beliefs.

Meeting Jesus

The speaker recounts a transformative experience where they felt a strong spiritual presence and encountered Jesus, leading to a profound change in their life.

Encountering Jesus

• Recalls uttering five words that changed their life forever: "Señor Jesús ven otra vez" (Lord Jesus come again).

• Describes feeling a certain sensation and a surge of power cleansing them from the inside out, leading to a sense of purity.

• Sees Jesus with their own eyes, experiencing an intense spiritual moment amidst unaware classmates praying around them.

• Feels overwhelmed by the realness of Jesus, spending the day crying and expressing love for Him.

Profound Impact

• Acknowledges something extraordinary happened that morning in February, affecting their focus on studies as thoughts of Jesus consumed them throughout the day.

• Expresses continuous love for Jesus and recalls realizing the reality of the angelic encounter and dream upon seeing the library window.