Another type of Butterfly

When students come to participate in the Study Abroad program in Gaming, Austria, they usually unconsciously come with one of the two following perspectives on life:

1. The attitude of a pilgrim.
2. The attitude of a tourist.

The pilgrim approaches the semester with reverence.  In other words, he remains internally silent, in order to give the different opportunities and experiences an chance to speak.  The pilgrim views the semester sacramentally: in other words with the attitude that the visible things of this world often contain and make visible the truths which are invisible.  People, nature, travels all thus have inestimable significance as they teach the pilgrim of the mystery of God and of man. Moreover, the pilgrim views the semester as a gift and is filled with gratitude through both the ups and downs which inevitably befall the student.

On the other hand, there is the tourist.  The tourist goes through the semester without reverence.  The dimension of depth is completely excluded.  The semester is “one big party.” To “feel good” or experience novelty, pleasure, and fun is the end-all, be-all. 

It is to the latter group—the  tourists -- which philosopher Dietrich Von Hildebrand refers to as “butterflies” – men who live only for the present on the exterior level of human consciousness.

Hildebrand writes, “How many people there are who are never lastingly influenced by a great work of art, by delight in beautiful landscapes, or by contact with great personalities.  The momentary impression may be strong but it strikes no deep root in them…these men are like a sieve through which everything runs.  Although they can be good, kindly, and honest, they cleave to a childish, unconscious position; they have no depth.”

So, as the fall students prepare to come out to Gaming to study, travel, and experience life in a foreign country it might be wise to reflect on your attitude towards life: Are you a pilgrim or a tourist?  Men – are your values built on solid ground?   Or, are you a “butterfly”, one who lives on the surface of everything searching solely for novelty and pleasure.”

I hope you’ll come to Gaming as a pilgrim and in so doing, the Lord will reward your pure heart with many delights.  God has build this world on the paradox of the cross and so too in Gaming, those who come as pilgrims end up having more fun and a better overall experience than the butterflies!