A Spirituality of Communion
Pope St. John Paul writes:
“…we need to promote a spirituality of communion, making it the guiding principle of education … A spirituality of communion indicates 1) above all the heart's contemplation of the mystery of the Trinity dwelling in us, and whose light we must also be able to see shining on the face of the brothers and sisters around us. A spirituality of communion also means 2) an ability to think of our brothers and sisters in faith within the profound unity of the Mystical Body, and therefore as "those who are a part of me". This makes us able to share their joys and sufferings, to sense their desires and attend to their needs, to offer them deep and genuine friendship. A spirituality of communion implies also 3) the ability to see what is positive in others, to welcome it and prize it as a gift…A spirituality of communion means, finally, 4) to know how to "make room" for our brothers and sisters, bearing "each other's burdens" (Gal 6:2) and resisting the selfish temptations which constantly beset us and provoke competition, careerism, distrust and jealousy. Let us have no illusions: unless we follow this spiritual path, external structures of communion will serve very little purpose. They would become mechanisms without a soul, "masks" of communion rather than its means of expression and growth. [1]
Pope St. John Paul writes:
“…we need to promote a spirituality of communion, making it the guiding principle of education … A spirituality of communion indicates 1) above all the heart's contemplation of the mystery of the Trinity dwelling in us, and whose light we must also be able to see shining on the face of the brothers and sisters around us. A spirituality of communion also means 2) an ability to think of our brothers and sisters in faith within the profound unity of the Mystical Body, and therefore as "those who are a part of me". This makes us able to share their joys and sufferings, to sense their desires and attend to their needs, to offer them deep and genuine friendship. A spirituality of communion implies also 3) the ability to see what is positive in others, to welcome it and prize it as a gift…A spirituality of communion means, finally, 4) to know how to "make room" for our brothers and sisters, bearing "each other's burdens" (Gal 6:2) and resisting the selfish temptations which constantly beset us and provoke competition, careerism, distrust and jealousy. Let us have no illusions: unless we follow this spiritual path, external structures of communion will serve very little purpose. They would become mechanisms without a soul, "masks" of communion rather than its means of expression and growth. [1]
There are many layers of communion among persons, one layer building on another. Parents encourage kindness by teaching turn-taking and sharing. Lifelong habits are formed to “play by the rules” and make room for someone else with respect, learned patience and compassion. Child development grapples with communion, especially items three and four in the paragraph above. And with those deep thoughts we often cannot put into words, we see the face of one hurt, or lonely or maltreated. We experience “the profound unity of the Mystical Body, and therefore the importance of ‘those who are a part of me.’” Perhaps you will recall the moment in which you looked sorrow in the eye and knew that you could not look away, feeling the impulse to help in some way.
We live in a time of division, even rancor, in a world increasingly insensitive to others’ faith, values, and virtues. Division is driven in politics and media, by disregard for truth-telling, by vicious language, by personal and religious mockery. Division seems to be anonymous and unstoppable. And, by human resources alone, it is unstoppable; it is the face of the Evil One.
God instills in each soul “the heart's contemplation of the mystery of the Trinity dwelling in us, and whose light we must also be able to see shining on the face of the brothers and sisters around us.” God is the source of all communion, and we are formed in His image. The Holy Spirit will guide us [if we are willing] to love and know God and others. With grace may we seek the communion which endures eternally.
How are you willing to change now to promote a spirituality of communion?
[1] Pope John Paul II Apostolic Letter, Novo Millenio Ineunte (At the Beginning of a New Millenium), #43 (Numbers added).
Sister Mary Judith O’Brien, RSM is a member of the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma. She serves as chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw.
