Leadership , continued from page 3
us ? The answer to this question is paradoxical . We find life by giving life ; enabling others enables us .
Hospice work has given me a good illustration of this . The Latin root meaning of this word provides a clarification . Hospes , -itis not only refers to the one who gives support ( hospitality ) to another , but also to the one who receives the support . Hospes engages both parties in a reciprocal relationship : receiving by giving and vice versa . I often find myself lifted up by the patients and the families I serve . I thank them for the honor and privilege to do so .
One of the most sacred duties of the Middle East culture is to engage in hospitality . Not to do so is to commit a grievous sin . The stranger and all those in need must always be provided for . What was the terrible sin of Sodom ? Neglect of the poor and marginalized ( Ezekiel 16 ).
I had an experience of the importance of Semitic hospitality on a trip to Israel in the summer of 1979 . While in Jerusalem my travel companion and I negotiated a flat fee with a taxi driver for a six-hour period to take us off the regular tourist track . He decided a trip out into the desert would be a unique experience for us , an experience not on the itinerary for most tourists . Not too far off the desert road we caught sight of a Bedouin camp . It was comprised of various tents . The taxi driver now was in full mode as a guide . He explained to us that if we were to enter the main tent of the camp we would meet the sheik who was in charge ; and even though the sheik would not necessarily be fond of us Americans or of him , a Jewish cab driver , he nonetheless would graciously invite us in and offer us a very bitter cup of coffee . Various food items would then be served . At the conclusion of the visit , he would in turn offer us a very , very sweet cup of tea . While doing so he would state , “ Life without you has been like a bitter cup of coffee . But now that you have visited us , life has become like this very sweet cup of tea .” In effect , he not only took care of our needs , but he considered our visit as also enriching his life . Providing for the needs of another enriches the life of the giver . Hospitality is always a two-way street .
Where are we as Community in living this out ? What will breathe life into us ? As we diminish in numbers the temptation is to become ever more self-serving and self-preserving . The sentiment often portrayed is that our very survival depends on doing so . Consequently , rather than expanding our services and using our resources to serve others and carry out our charism , we want to hang on to them ever more tightly . Pope Francis stated recently that religious communities are to be true to their charisms — and that resources must be directed toward this end . Financial gain and / or security are not the primary considerations .
What will breathe life into our Community ? Being true to our charism of renewal and reconciliation . Our vote at the 2017 Provincial Assembly to expand our meeting space at the Center in Liberty was to me a positive sign that we want to be a Community that reaches out to the wider world community . Let us continue to be generous in sharing the breath of life God has given us . It will be the only way in which we will continue to have the breath of life continue to grow within us . Let us constantly strive to be an inspiring and inspired Community . W
Editor , continued from page 2 the original understanding of Eucharist as something we not only receive and do and become — not stay away from and simply adore . What many of us are prone to forget is that this body and blood is the people as well as the bread and wine . People are consecrated too ; we are also really and truly the presence of Christ . The focus is on our continuing to become the body and blood of Christ . As we serve God in the hungry , homeless , loveless , sick or suffering , we offer not ourselves but Christ who is in us . We are the body of Christ and we are connected .
The common good is still at the heart of Catholic Social Teaching . It is also part of the core of our Precious Blood spirituality . In the words of Pope Francis , “ Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns , there is no longer room for others , no place for the poor . God ’ s voice is no longer heard , the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt , and the desire to do good fades ” ( Evangelii Gaudium ). W
4 • The New Wine Press • July 2017