'Gospel Hotspots' and a Culture of Vocations
When we talk about a culture of vocations -- "the set of beliefs, values, attitudes and practices that support the cultivation and retention of vocations" -- our distinct religious charism, the way we speak it and live it, is vitally important.
As Marianists, a central element of that charism is community, and in particular the common life we share as brothers living under one roof.
For us, the local community is a Gospel hotspot, a holiness school, an arena for ego-disarmament, an embodiment of our wide-reaching mission --
if we work at it.
In our local communities we test our vocations, enjoy camaraderie, confront sinfulness and learn the hard lessons and graceful possibilities of Gospel love. Our consecrated Marianist religious life is embodied in this dynamic living arrangement. Indeed the common life is a catalyst for our own vocations.
Not surprisingly, local community life is important to a culture of vocations. Young men and women drawn to religious life today are most attracted to vibrant communities in which members share in prayer, Eucharist, meals and recreation. They don't expect perfect communities, but they do look for signs that we engage in the ongoing transformation that Christ calls us to, and that Mary uniquely supports.
The perseverance of our newer members depends on our openness to being transformed in the often goofy dynamics of our common life. Not every candidate for Marianist religious life will come and stay, but for good discernment to take place, we are compelled to strive for the fullness of our rich charism.
I know it's hard sometimes to see how our daily in-house faithfulness supports our missionary work in the world, but our Rule of Life reminds us that the connection is vital and mysterious. We mustn't be discouraged by the mess and mediocrity we sometimes encounter in our common life. The temptation to quit trying comes from outside as well as inside our homes. We know well the pressures of a dominant culture that promotes self-fulfillment at the expense of community and commitment. There are many reasons our common life is tough. And the same reasons reveal why the common life is vital to our Marianist consecrated religious life and our participation in the life of Christ today.
So what does this exalted talk about the common life have to do with vocation ministry?
Everything!
It also has everything to do with our ongoing spiritual renewal and our witness as vowed religious Marianists in the Church and world.
Action items
During these last few weeks of Lent, please take time to consider these questions:
- In my local community, what are we doing well to create a strong common life as brothers?
- What discourages me about the way we live our common life as Marianist brothers? What struggles do I encounter when it comes to my participating more fully in community life?
- What are one or two easily implemented initiatives that would strengthen our common life? (These may be personal or communal.)
- What are one or two bold or prophetic steps the community might take to strengthen our common life?
