the chosen one

Ösel Hita Torres was a 14-month-old child when he was recognized by the Dalai Lama as the reincarnation of a religious man who died in the odor of sanctity and transferred by his parents to a Buddhist monastery to live asceticism and contemplation. When he turns 18, the young man decides to leave the monastery to indulge in mad joy on the beaches of Ibiza, complaining that he did not have a normal childhood with video games and snacks. This episode makes me think a lot about the great responsibility that "men of God" have in interpreting the divine will and how much responsibility parents have, especially in accompanying a young person towards their future. No religion and no man is exempt from these responsibilities. The Church also knows something about it which, in recent times – as well as throughout its history – is not free from disconcerting moments. Despite this man continues to seek the light, and when he sees it through the face of a chosen one so much the better! But what happens when the elect let us down?

If I had to make a blacklist of people who didn't meet my expectations a quinterno would not be enough for me. From St. Peter's to Obama, the list would be very, very long. So I thought to myself: if today I were madly in love with an artist and his works and then I discovered that he secretly spanks children, would I continue to love his works? Or would my vision be irreparably impaired by my judgment of him? My grandfather always told me this: «You know Grandma's stew? You know how much it sucks right? And do you know why when I eat it I'm happy? He's going to sound crazy, but he reminds me that I'm – no doubt – on someone's blacklist too."


Andrea Go
NP February 2023