Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity
Monthly reflection - May 2004
Individualism
by
Domingo Rodríguez, S.T.
Faithful to the call of the Spirit as God manifested a preferential love to the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity at our XII General Cenacle, we continue focusing our minds and hearts on our "Identity as Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity", (Resolution #1, Acts XII, p.5)
We are invited this month to reflect particularly on the statement which reads:
"Our passionate desire to be faithful to the vowed life is challenged by:" - Individualism
We understand the concept to mean "the characteristic which identifies one who pursues a markedly independent course in thought or action". We readily acknowledge that personal freedom flows from the inalienable right of human beings, concomitant with their dignity, a God given gift. Individuals may behave as they please. No nation, no human group, civil or ecclesiastical, confers dignity on individuals, though they may curb, limit or deprive individuals from their independence and personal freedom.
The business world in a capitalistic system as we know it promotes and rewards individuals for their independent thinking and acting. Anyone in this system becomes outstanding in his or her particular field of business to the degree that he or she becomes aggressively independent, daring to be different, creative and competitive. "Rugged individualism" is touted as the ideal for those aspiring to be promoted and advanced in the echelons of entrepreneurship.
Not so with those aspiring to the discipleship of Jesus Christ. (St. Mt. 16/24; St.Mk. 8/34; St. Lk. 9/23). Self-denial and self-emptying (Kenosis) are offered as Gospel values. For the lovers of Jesus Christ there is no room for self-seeking or self-centeredness. In the words of our Founder:
"Be on guard lest a pride of manner creep into your speech or action…Beware of a patronizing or self-assertive spirit…we must be on guard lest even one word encourage the snobbish." (Meditations p.54; MF 8480)
Interesting to note that as we strive to renew our Missionary Congregation in the New Millennium, and as we strive to redefine our identity as Religious, what we must do really is go back to our Rule of Life. This is precisely the recommendation given to us by our beloved confrere, Fr. Vincent Fitzpatrick in his reflection for January 2004. He pointed out then: "The Identity of the Missionary Servants is already adequately described in the Constitution, Directory and the Rule of Life."
The challenge we face then is to re-visit those writings and documents which, as we believe are the gift of the Spirit to us. How are we to rekindle the passion which identified our Founder? How are we to recapture the vision of a Family working in the Church? Do we actually believe this is the way the Spirit called each of us Missionary Servants, to live out our vocation as Religious? How are we to respond today to the legacy given to us by Fr. Judge, beyond the allurement and pressure of modern society? "Live and let live", "Just do it", "Be yourself"…are all very attractive invitations, but not too helpful for those of us who have vowed our lives together in community!
Remember Father's exhortation? :
"Think of the mutual strength you may be to one another. Think of what you may do
for one another. This may so large and important good that, indeed, I hope and pray
your affairs will be so conditioned that you must depend upon one another, that you
cannot do without one another, that you may realize that you need one another…"
(Meditations p. 121; MF 850-53)
The passing of years, the accumulation of harsh experiences (wounded memories), the stumbling over unfulfilled dreams, all these and more, may contribute to a change of heart. My initial ambitious goals of holiness through self-denial and self-giving could be easily modified to less demanding expectations of self. "Been there, done that" seems to be the lethal attitude of complacency, not open to other alternatives of living the vowed life.
No, it is not sinful not to be enthusiastic about our lives together as men called by the Spirit, but it is sad. It doesn't have to be that way! Not when the Spirit of the Lord continues to favor us with timely opportunities for self renewal and congregational revival. This is precisely the call given to us at our last General Cenacle in June. The Spirit led us then to the resolution which asks that "Our identity as Religious and Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity be the principal and regular subject of reflection…during the next four years." (Acts XII, p.6)
Anyone "pursuing a markedly independent course in thought and action" (definition of individualism), will have a difficult time accepting or being true to the rule:
"By profession of vows we are joined together…for the sake of apostolic mission…
Our vows should help us express a more generous love of one another in community;
community life, in turn, should contribute to the faithful living of the vows." (Rule of Life #24)
Let us take time to reflect! Let the Spirit once again lure us into intimacy where "cor ad cor loquitur"! Let us dare break away from the temptation of self-centeredness, simply because those in love with Jesus the Lord have no other choice.
"I will rise now and go about the city, in the streets and in the squares; I will seek him whom my soul loves" (Song of Salomon 3/2)
For personal reflection:
1. What present circumstances in the Congregation contribute to our ideal of being together as family?
2. Getting in touch with your own personal experience, what has helped you to become more generous and self-giving? What has not helped? Why?
3. How have you handled working with other people? Other ST's; MSBT's; MCA's; BTMI's; parishioners? Any difficulties? Why?