"Each Man is an Island" by Father Joseph A. Galdon

We were asked by our English teacher to make a Reaction Paper about the essay entitled "Each man is an Island"... Here's mine...

When I first heard the essay’s title (Each Man is an Island) what came into my mind were people who live individually without any connection with others, people who let selfishness conquer their hearts and souls. Though it was my first impression, I proved it right after reading the whole text. It was really about how selfishness strikes every individual and the love that is not shared to others. While reading the story, I wondered why do these people don’t want to build “bridges” to others? Why do they build walls that none may penetrate? These questions were clearly answered after I read it.

At first, I really didn’t get the meaning of the words he used such as “Bridges, Walls, Rocks etcetera”. It took me a longer time in getting the real message of those lines where those words were. But finally, I understand the essay completely. I think, the essay was trying to tell us that building bridges to others could help us to live a better life. Love is the only one that we lose when we keep it. Why can’t we share this love? Selfishness. Selfishness is the main reason. Love isn’t a material thing to be kept right? So why give it? Nothing will be taken from us if we spread this love. It was said in the story that we hug it to our hearts but never share it with those who are so hungry for it. Do we know that loving the person whom you don’t really know is the greatest?

It was also mentioned that we must not show our love vocally because it is not really expressed with the real love. Instead, we must show it. Through this, we could let others feel that they are really loved. It is good that he clarified this stuff because I really don’t know that there was a difference between the two. I though, saying “I Love you and I care for you” is enough.

In my 15 years of existence, I can’t really believe that there are still many things I have to learn. Not about our school lesson but more on my spiritual aspect. I am really grateful after I’ve read that wonderful essay by a wonder father. He made me realize those things that I thought were simple to do. Those basic things that everyone could make but only few did. He made me realized that building those he called “Bridges” to others can expand our relationship with God.