for the common good of the community and for service to others.
We may be individuals in ourcharacter, opinions, and personality,but we also know that we are publicrepresentatives of our communityand our church. We do not operateas independent agents in the church.
Likewise, we commit ourselvesto the common mission of our community. Whether one works as thehead of a social-service agency, acook in a soup kitchen, a principalof a school, or a parish director ofreligious education, the prestigeof one’s individual ministry doesnot matter. We all share an equalresponsibility for carrying out thecommon mission of our religiouscongregation.
The values we esteem are far
from those promoted by our secular
culture. Whereas individualism, per-
sonal advancement, and privilege are
virtues in the corporate world, we
choose a life that encourages inter-
dependence and shows indifference
to status. Whereas American culture
glorifies sex, money, and power, we
choose to live together celibately,
poorly, and obediently.
No strangers to struggle
Our high ideals, however, do notshield us from life’s struggles andpain. We need only to look at thelife of Jesus Christ: Before his glorious Resurrection, Christ had toendure his Passion and death. Giventhe nature of human imperfection, no matter what life choice wemake, we will encounter our ownCalvary. Suffering is part of life, but
BENEDICTINEBrother JamesJensen, O.S.B. helpsat a food bank.
Brothers engagein a wide range ofministries.
We choose a lifethat encouragesinterdependence andshows indifferenceto status.
“
COUR TESY OF SAINT MEINRAD ARCHABBE Y
