Reflection paper: The Mission

The mission was called “San Carlos.” Fr. Gabriel, a Jesuit priest uses music to lure the

Indians, and out of curiosity they were attracted to the beautiful sound produced by the flute,

which is a great idea in my opinion, because the Indians of the “Guarani” that live above the falls

are somehow also very akin to music. That leads Fr. Alonzo to a much easier way of connecting

with them. And so, after having this authentic connection between the priest and the Indians, the

process of slowly converting them to the Christian faith and as a community began.

Aside from the mission of San Carlos, there is this older mission called San Miguel. This

mission also flourished in terms of the way of living. With the help of the Jesuit priest, who was

assigned there and with the participation of the Indians they got to point where there is an equal

distribution of goods and everything. All of their hard work paid off, and all was flowing

smoothly, having able to live simple Christian lives.

The dramatic entrance of the blood spill was already being plotted by these two ruthless

Portuguese gentlemen, Don Cabeza and Sir Hontar. They were slave traffickers obedient to their

king, and at the same time has a name in the political square. They were in the business of

trafficking for the money not for the benefit of the people. And advantage takers of people.

The missions are the refuge of the Indians, if there were no safe houses for them, they are

forced into the wild where they belong. And so, if they came back to the wild, now they are

vulnerable to be captives. And as captives they are to be sold and gained on upon as profit by the

greedy traffickers.

At first they did not want to leave the missions, but they had no choice. His eminence,

having visited them advised them to do so, and leave. The response of the Indians were, no
matter what happens they will fight, they will not leave the mission. Also the Jesuit priests were

advised to come home in Asuncion, but they also did not listen. And so, with some of the Jesuit

priests on their side, they fought against the Portuguese, but in the end they lost. And in the end

one by one, the missions toppled to the ground, leaving only dust, burnt wood and rubble.

As captives, in my opinion leaving the mission is the only way of survival, although they

will be sold as slaves, but they will live. As priests, I think violence is not the answer. In my

opinion they should have left with his eminence to Asuncion and there their survival,

excommunication, along with the brotherhood of Jesuits will be kept, and they will not be

banned in other places, such as France and Spain. As captives and with full trust with the people

they have as company, they did the right thing as they defended their home, they fought

honorable fights. In the end, even if you die, what matters is fighting for what you love. In this

case defending the home, and fighting for the family not to become slaves. As priests, I think

vow of obedience is of paramount importance, but if it forsakes others, and if it is blinded by

what is wrong, disobedience plays a part that is important as well. In this case what happened

was, the mission of San Carlos in which they thoroughly developed, with sheer will and faith in

God, as ministers it is also right to defend that place that you established, and save the people

who dwell in that land.

Everything was better at first, until at the middle part until the last everything went

sideways, it saddened me as I watched this movie because all of the things that they built, were

not benefited by the others. But, my hopes are high that whoever hears this story will be inspired

to do what are the right thing and the will of God. And as a believer, every good deed done in

this world is not in vain in the eyes of God. But to those who do so otherwise, will forever be

haunted by that sin, through their conscience. Geo Angelo C. Astraquillo