The model of how to “BE” was that of Jesus and the apostles, which then evolved into the first Christian community. Regarding the spirit of poverty he wrote:
The first Christians followed that counsel faithfully to the letter. They still had fresh before them the example of their divine Master…
These reasons have been more than sufficient for us to determine, in our Institute that wants us to walk in the footsteps of the early Christians and in the spirit of the holiest religious Orders, to adopt this essential point of the perfect religious life.
Consequently,
All will be in common in our Society, and no one will have any personal possessions.
How steeped he was in the apostolic model was shown when he wrote :
The income of each house will not rise beyond six thousand francs, which is sufficient income to maintain twelve priests and seven serving brothers, the maximum who can live in a house.
1818 Rule, Part Two, Chapter One. §1. The Spirit of Poverty.
He refers symbolically to the 12 apostles and the 7 deacons of the New Testament. It is interesting to note that this is the first time in the Rule that he speaks of the Brother Missionaries. They came into existence a few years later than this text.
Today,
The Spirit prompted the first Christians to share everything. Under the influence of that same Spirit, we hold all things in common. Our members adopt a simple lifestyle, remembering that it is essential for our religious institute to give collective witness to evangelical detachment.
CC&RR, Constitution 21
“He who would be serene and pure needs but one thing, detachment.” Meister Eckhart
“He who would be serene and pure needs but one thing, detachment.” Eckhart
How to do that is where to vows come in as a means. And then it is in mindfulness to the means, in and with the light of the goal, that allows for the “being” to simply be. “Being” does not mean doing nothing/sitting oraison 24/7, but does mean that in all that we do, including oraison that we are conscious and “Abide in Me, and I in you.” This abiding is in and through relationship. So again the paradox: “Detatchement / Relationship”
“He who would be serene and pure needs but one thing, detachment.” Meister Eckhart
Okay Frank, I think you are cracking up choosing that quote. *smiles*
Detachment from worldly possessions, yes but that’s it. Oblates live and thrive in community / relationship. There is no room for detachment there. And in their work with people, they become totally involved. It is not possible to be a detached missionary.
As for “serene,” while a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction may come from their / our vocation, I don’t think there is much serenity in most of the missionary work they do.
Jack I love your sense of serene and with the “Being” the ‘abiding in me …”. And John I wonder if that serenity that Meister Eckhart refers to is that interior stuff that is deep and abiding in a place where are joy springs up from.
Its interesting how the “BEing” does not come from the doing – they are not interchangable that way. However DOing does come from the BEing – it is like a bi-product. And so in order to BE – all this stuff that Eugene “recommended” makes sense. The early Christians were so focused in living the new way brought to them by Jesus and the apostles that they didn’t have to or want to necessarily spend a lot of time and energy “building castles and fortunes” for themselves. Much easier for everyone to share all of their gifts and talents – they did not need to hold on to ‘personal’ things – perhaps as much as we are used to doing.
When I first started to read this my initial thought was “no problem – I actually like to share what I have”. But then I needed to look a little bit deeper and admit that did not/does not always necessarily include my favorite pair of earrings, a couple of books that I go back to again and again, those new clothes that I had to buy last week nor my music cd’s that I am so sure I can’t do without. I am not saying that I need to be perfect somehow about this, but maybe I do need to realise and acknowledge the reality of my life. I love the idea of community, and of sharing because it is less complicated and easier to keep focus, but the reality is like everything else in the past few days/months – it’s a back and forth type of movement. And it’s okay. This (the writings, comments and shared thoughts) continues to not only remind me of the essentials, but offers the opportunity to keep restarting and renewing.
“The Spirit prompted the first Christians to share everything. Under the influence of that same Spirit, we hold all things in common. Our members adopt a simple lifestyle, remembering that it is essential for our religious institute to give collective witness to evangelical detachment. CC&RR, Constitution 21” I have spent the past hour going over this – reflecting, with a mind that wandered, where I branched off into different ideas and words and definitions but come back to this one quotation from the Constitution and Rules.
That sharing of everything, what am I being called to share? Myself, certainly – for this is more than about just things. Images of dignity come to mind. Loving and being loved. I have wandered to the cross and back and then settled on “we hold all things in common”. What do I hold in common? Who do I hold it in common with? What shall I not measure? Perhaps that is the question for me to sit with today – what shall I not measure?
It seems that moderation is in order here to try and define what God’s heart is in this matter. Vows are not the answer as we are admonished to”swear not”. Growing in grace and maturity and a revelation of the joy of sharing and giving seems to me to much more doable. Also finding our hearts guilty of the love of money and of the coveting of possessions and crying out for deliverance from these are, to me, the virtues at hand. Having been wealthy for approximately 9 years and now finding myself back to a “normal” economic state, I find I emerged from that experience a better man, freed from the burdens of multiple homes and properties and now living simply and giving and sharing much more freely. The “deceitfulness of riches” is an accurate term. Now the joy of watching for opportunities to bless and share and give I find far outweigh the experience of having a lavish lifestyle.