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