By: Maria N.
Date: June 17, 2024
I have often been struck by this quote, “The world will be saved by beauty.” Some find it too romantic or too naiveté. I was always provoked to wonder; “What kind of beauty exists
out there that would prompt Dostoyevsky to write in his book, The Idiot this bold declaration?”
What kind of beauty are we talking about?
I have been struck by some piercing beauty recently. I was honoured to be part of the Commissioning Mass of the Sabbatical Year this last month. This was the closing Mass for all the young adults that participated in a formation year, living with the Seeds of the Word Community. The Sabbatical year is described as 9 months to be reborn through the Word of God. My oldest daughter, Monica, was a Sabbatical companion this past year.
The Seeds of the Word Community “is a contemplative and missionary Community, with the charism of announcing the Good News of Salvation to the world.” They have a house here in Calgary.
I was privileged as well to attend the opening Mass, back in September 8th, 2023, where Sabbatical companions first started their year. I remember seeing excitement, apprehension, over-confidence in the faces of the new Sabbatical companions. It was beautiful and edifying to see this group of youthful, vibrant young adults giving a year of their lives to growing closer to God, desiring formation and seeking community life.
Over the months, we were fortunate to see them grow and be nurtured by this beautiful community.
But I wasn’t prepared to see the amazing and radiant joy that exuded from them when they shared their beautiful testimonies, at the end of their formation, during the Commissioning Mass earlier this month, expressing how God had transformed them, how Jesus had encountered them in such a powerful way and how the Holy Spirit’s love was moving through the Community of Seeds of the Word Brothers and Sisters.
I believe that the Community’s love, their availability of their time and attention, their knowledge they shared through the formation classes along with the Sacraments have helped in transformation of the Sabbatical companions’ lives. They are
such a witness to me of spiritual motherhood and spiritual fatherhood.
It convicted me and made me ask, “Am I this available to my children when I am busy finishing a task at home?”, “Am I ready to pause and attend to whoever asks for my help?”, “Do I look for those teachable moments to help my children be formed in the faith in my everyday life?”
I have witnessed the fruit of intentional mentorship through watching the Sabbatical companions and the result that comes from that.
I am convinced that this is the kind of beauty that is missing in the world. This is the kind of accompaniment that is lacking in our faith communities. This beauty is very attractive and scarce. This is the kind of intentional, self-giving, joyful maternal and paternal self-gift that is transforming the world. This radiant beauty is making a powerful impact in people’s lives and healing what needs to be mended. It brings to me so much hope.
I think Pope St. Paul VI said it best when it came to womanly accompaniment and women’s influence in the world; as mothers, single lay persons and consecrated women, in his closing address of Vatical II:
“...The hour is coming, in fact has come, when the vocation of woman is being achieved in its fullness, the hour in which woman acquires in the world an influence, an effect and a power never hitherto achieved. That is why, at this moment when the human race is under-going so deep a transformation, women impregnated with the spirit of the Gospel can do so much to aid mankind in not falling.
You women have always had as your lot the protection of the home, the love of beginnings and an understanding of cradles. You are present in the mystery of a life beginning. You offer consolation in the departure of death. Our technology runs the risk of becoming inhuman. Reconcile men with life and above all, we beseech you, watch carefully over the future of our race…
Wives, mothers of families, the first educators of the human race in the intimacy of the family circle, pass on to your sons and your daughters the traditions of your fathers at the same time that you prepare them for an unsearchable future. Always remember that by her children a mother belongs to that future which perhaps she will not see.
And you, women living alone, realize what you can accomplish through your dedicated vocation. Society is appealing to you on all sides. Not even families can live without the help of those who have no families. Especially you, consecrated virgins, in a world where egoism and the search for pleasure would become law, be the guardians of purity, unselfishness and piety. Jesus who has given to conjugal love all its plenitudes, has also exalted the renouncement of human love when this is for the sake of divine love and for the service of all.
Women, you do know how to make truth sweet, tender and accessible, make it your task to bring the spirit of this council into institutions, schools, homes and daily life.
Women of the entire universe, whether Christian or non believing, you to whom life is entrusted at this grave moment in history, it is for you to save the peace of the world.”
Let’s all work together, to make the truth sweet, tender, accessible, and beautiful. Let’s be women “impregnated with the spirit of the Gospel.”
Let’s challenge ourselves to make ourselves more available to those whom God has entrusted to our care. Let’s save the world through beauty.
If you are interested to knowing more about the Seeds of the Word Community or the Sabbatical year, please contact the Seeds of the Word.
Kommentare