Friends In The Lord

The Chickens Go To The Opera

source: The Censer (cs.ust.hk)

My recent move has resulted in an unexpected gift: music.  My new neighbor sings to his chickens, which at night consists of a deep rolling opera, while in the morning he provides them with a softer, gentler melody.  The first couple of days this struck me as being rather strange, to say the least, and perhaps merely one more attempt to cajole superior egg production out of his pair of hens.  As the days have passed, however, my wife and I have found ourselves quietly cracking the windows to listen.  He serenades them in an unknown language, a fact which allows us to enjoy the moment in the same manner as the chickens.  We have come to notice a true beauty and care between this man and his animals.   I do not know why he sings to them, and frankly it does not matter; it is enough to know that a person cares enough for God’s creation to make it a more beautiful place, even when no one is supposedly watching.

Building History Through The Art Of Remembering

Graffiti of Layton on the Streets of Toronto (photo: Kelly Bourke)

Less than a month ago Canada witnessed the death of one of its dearest public personalities, the NDP leader Jack Layton. His contribution to the shaping of the current political landscape of Canada is certain and his charisma went beyond the borders of his party, captivating both followers and opponents. While watching the funeral I could not avoid but notice the way in which Layton’s death was forcing Canadians to compile, organize and ponder their recent history; in order to explain Layton’s role in Canadian politics, every Canadian was obliged to find their own place in the development of their country. At the core of this event was a true exercise of collective memory, marked by both the identification of every individual with the progress and achievements of the nation, and a general questioning about the direction of the country’s government without the actions of Layton.

It is not unreasonable to assume that most changes trigger our memories in unpredictable ways, creating connections between facts that when in progress did not seem to be linked at all. Births, deaths and any kind of major life transitions seem to be channels to remember, that is, to create history. This exercise of memory, often a product of a radical transformation, brings forth reconciliation between our current and our old selves; it places us in time as historical individuals belonging to historical communities. May our prayer be an occasion to remember those who have impacted our lives in one way or another, those who are still with us and those who have left us, providing us with a comforting place in the human community created by God.

Restoration and Repentance

Last night I bought a rather shabby looking drafting table to function as my desk for the next year.  I have never restored furniture, but as my wife and I set about removing the top layer of black spray paint we found it to be an enjoyable and rewarding experience.  Flake by flake the desk came back to life, though not of course without revealing its nicks and scratches all the more vividly.  Each large peeled strip, for the most part, ended in a small gouge as it caught on the uneven and blemished surface of the table.  It quickly became apparent that these imperfections were part of the desk, and to cover them up with cheap paint only left the entire project worse off.  It is a bit like when we hide our cares and faults from one another, rather than letting time and forgiveness decrease the vividness of our broken selves.  Periods of repentance are particularly apt to take on this hue as what begins in our hearts spreads to the whole of our being, bursting the accumulated layers of inauthenticity.

Forming Values

The General of the Society of Jesus and Canadian Jesuits in formation at the recent Congress in Midland, ON. (photo: Marc de Asis, S.J.)

Greetings from Loyola House, Guelph, Ontario. Like so many of you, the recent scences on the streets of English cities generated in me much concern and anxiety. It is not, however, an issue that is just “over there.” The anger felt by many young people today toward those they feel are the cause of their social and economic poverty seems to be an ever growing and emerging reality in many countries on many continents. Many young people today feel out-of -sorts in our society, and this trend is not unfamiliar to young Canadians.

As elections loom in Ontario, it might be helpful to recall the recent comments of the former Jesuit provincial superior of Britain, Father Michael Holman, SJ, who incidentally gave a major presentation three years ago on the dissatisfaction felt by young people. In his most recent comments he makes some suggestions on how civil society might move forward, and his comments are worth considering, even here in Canada. “Ministers must weigh cuts against their social consequences and learn from experts on their doorstep about dealing with disaffected youth and creating environments that promote self-esteem and moral values. We need an education that bothers as much about the formation of our young people as the future of business and industry. And we urgently need a dialogue about an agreed set of values and virtues that will give them and their families a moral compass – a complex task in our liberal, multicultural society. But who will foot the bill? Back in the 1940s, the Chilean Jesuit saint Alberto Hurtado wrote that the Church’s social teaching should promote a non-conformist attitude to wrong in society. The challenge for Mr. Cameron and his Big Society is to persuade us that for the common good we need to pay something more in tax as an investment in our young people’s future.”

Fr. Holman’s comments signpost for us a certain consideration for our very dialogue with our political representatives as they begin to arrive on our doorsteps seeking our votes: how do we begin to form, and not just consider how we should punish, the youth in our urban and rural centers? Are the various political parties motivated to invest in our schools in such a way whereby they become agents of change, change that is not just about academic results but a change that concerns the whole person.

On a separate note please pray for our four Jesuit novices; Eric Hanna, Adam Hincks, Daniel Leckman, and Edward Penton, who will take First Vows this Saturday.

Hospitality: At The Core Of The Human Heart

Medellin, Colombia (photo: Kelly Bourke)

The summer time tends to distract us from our hectic lives with a number of events that highlight arts, sports and leisure, to finally leave us with the need for refocusing on our regular activities and getting ready for another September. As fast as these summer days go by, they should enable us to capture unseen aspects of our communities. Such events are always revelatory of the communal basis of the human existence, demonstrating our ability to welcome strangers, opening our minds to different cultural practices and, ultimately, enabling us to act as social beings as opposed to isolated individuals.

This summer, Colombia -my home country- is hosting the FIFA World Cup U20, which I had the wonderful opportunity to attend as I spent some time at home. Within the preparation of the country for the tournament a campaign was put into place in order to remind Colombians of their hospitable nature. It highlighted for the people of Colombia that they had always hosted foreigners even in the midst of growing poverty, severe natural disasters and unending violence. I firmly believe that this is not only true of Colombians but of all humankind; it is part of who we are as social beings. May this summer be an opportunity to reflect on our openness to others, our readiness to offer hospitality to those in need and our ability to discover the need in those unable to communicate it to us.

Day Three: Renew Without Counting the Cost

Greetings from the Jesuit Congress, Midland, Ontario. On Friday the delegates reflected upon renewing, without counting the cost. The day began with a reconciliation and missioning service at the Shrine. The service contained a penitential rite, in which the delegates asked for forgiveness for those times in our history when we failed Christ’s mission and his people. The Provincial, Fr. Webb, S.J., concluded the serve with an exhortation and blessing. Part of the exhortation included a composition of place. This spiritual exercise prepared the delegates for the pilgrimage walk, some twelve kilometers, from the Shrine to St. Ignace– the place of martyrdom of Saint Gabriel Lalemant and Saint Jean de Brébeuf.

Fr. Bill Clarke, S.J.

Thankfully, yesterday morning the rain and clouds gave way for bright sunshine as the pilgrims began there twelve km trek just after Morning Prayer. At noon hour the pilgrims were greeted at St. Ignace by Fr. General, who offered them a blessing.  In the afternoon Fr. General meet all thirty-three Jesuits in formation. He offered responses to their questions, ranging from our mission to Jesuit formation. I was struck by two things during this time of sharing: Fr. General has a tremendous love for the poor and strongly encouraged us to have friends amongst the poor. He noted that the poor allow us to remain true to the call of Christ and they reveal to us in a very heart centered way their challenges and pains– of what it means to be displaced and alone in the world. He reminded us that this desire to be amongst the poor extends back to the time of St. Ignatius himself, who when missioning Jesuits to the Council of Trent reminded them that they were to spend time each day with the poor. Secondly, the General shared with us his great love for the Society and the Church. He added that our greatest contribution to the Church is our earnest and dedicated study of theology and spirituality. I was struck by his love of the people of God and his tremendous hospitality as a person. He and his two delegates returned Friday to Rome.

The Honourable Graydon Nicholas, Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick

In the afternoon we heard from two speakers, Fr. Bill Clarke, S.J. and The Honourable Graydon Nicholas, the Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick. Fr. Bill spoke warmly about his relationship with persons with developmental disabilities, in both the former Farm Community in Guelph and in various L’Arche Communities. The Honourable Graydon Nicolas impressed upon us that the Church today needs to be concerned with healing, recognition and reconciliation. In addition, he also noted that there needs to be a greater acceptance within our church of our (First Nations) ways because they are given to us by God.

Today we engaged in communal discernment, so as to assist the process of considering where Jesus is inviting us to respond as we walk together with God’s people over the next ten years.

Day Two: Remembering

Blacksmith/Carpenter Shop and Chapel (source: saintemarieamongthehurons.on.ca)

Greetings from Day Three of the Jesuit Congress in Midland, Ontario.Yesterday morning Fr. General and the delegates of the congress were given a tour of Sainte-Marie among the Hurons. Sainte-Maire was the headquarters for the French Jesuit Mission to the Huron Wendat people. During the tour Fr. General and the delegates were afforded a unique opportunity to see the earliest Canadian pioneer life. In the afternoon Fr. General addressed the assembly in a key note address, focusing on what is the new evangelisation and the universal mission of the Society of Jesus. In this address, Fr. General remembered and made reference to the example of the Jesuit Family that was Jean de Brébeuf and his companions, and indeed all Jesuits that have worked in Canada from that time to this. Moreover, he stressed that this family also included lay données and friends from the Wendat people. The experience of togetherness from that short lived time at Sainte-Maire points toward a unity in diversity that is at the heart of the universal mission that Jesuits and their partners in mission are invited to live again today, and do live today. He noted that this unity through diversity breaks us out of our localized and narrow horizon, making us available instead to respond in a generous and available way to the call of Christ today. The address was warmly and enthusiastically received by all those present. I was moved by the great emphases that Fr. General placed upon the greatly valued relationship between Jesuits and our partners in mission. In response to how we might respond to the needs of the Church today in Canada, he noted that he cannot say what such a response might concretely look like. However, he noted that our methodology of communal apostolic discernment and spiritual conversation will allow us to respond in such a way that aids the new evangelisation and the universal mission of the Church, so as to be agents of gospel love and goodness in our world today.  Please be assured over the coming weeks I will post a more detailed account of Fr. General’s address. Today there will be a service of Forgiveness for our past sins. Please continue to pray for us, as we pray for you and your loved ones.

Interior furnishings of En-Colombage (saintemarieamongthehurons.on.ca)

Jesuits In English Canada Congress 2011

Greetings from the Jesuit Congress 2011.

English Canadian Jesuit provincial superior Fr. Jim Webb S.J. (photo: Michael Swan, catholicregister.org)

The Jesuits of English Canada and Jesuit members of French Canada are gathered at Midland, Ontario, to recall and celebrate the presence of Jesuits in Canada for the past 400 years. During these next four days Jesuits and lay collaborators will remember and renew their commitment of service to the people of Canada. The current Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Fr. Adolfo Nicolas, S.J., is attending the gathering in Midland, along with his assistant for Western Europe and Canada and his assistant for the United States. In his opening remarks, Fr. Jim Webb, S.J., Jesuit Provincial for the Jesuits in English Canada, noted that this gathering is an occasion to engage in communal apostolic discernment, so that collectively we can consider how best we can service the people of Canada in the years ahead. Fr. Webb noted that we are about acquiring a twenty-twenty vision as to how Christ is inviting us to serve in the years ahead, in the confidence that Christ is with us. I will endeavor to post daily updates on the days in Midlands.

Fr. Adolfo Nicolas, S.J. Superior General of the Society of Jesus (photo: Courtesy Society of Jesus, scu.edu)

Gratitude

photo: Ashley Seager, Guardian

It seems to me, in light of the divine Goodness, though others may think differently, that ingratitude is one of the things most worthy of detestation before our Creator and Lord, and before all creatures capable of his divine and everlasting glory, out of all the evils and sins which can be imagined. For it is a failure to recognize the good things, the graces, and the gifts received. As such, it is the cause, beginning, and origin of all evils and sins. On the contrary, recognition and gratitude for the good things and gifts received is greatly loved and esteemed both in heaven and on earth. –St. Ignatius of Loyola, in a letter to Fr. Simon Rodriguez, 1542.

During a recent five-month placement in HIV/AIDS ministry in Nairobi, Kenya, I had the opportunity to accompany the workers from a parish programme on home-visits to their HIV-positive clients, the majority of whom live in urban slum conditions.  Despite their poverty, most were eager to offer us their hospitality.

One visit has remained with me in particular.  Our hostess was an HIV-positive single mother who scraped together a few pennies per day by preparing grain for brewing the local beer.  While the parish worker and I visited with her brother, she disappeared behind the curtain which created a makeshift wall in the roughly 15-by-15-foot room constituting her family’s home to begin preparing something for us.

Ten minutes later, she emerged with tea and margarine sandwiches and placed them on the table.  Eager to show my appreciation, I reached for the offerings, only to be discreetly elbowed by my colleague.  We had not given thanks for the food.  As I sheepishly retracted by hand, our hostess led us in prayer thanking Almighty God for the meal—a meal that would have cost a significant fraction of her daily income.

I have often thought of this gesture of gratitude since.  It was not an isolated event during my time in Kenya.  Why is it that the poor in the slums of Nairobi are constantly grateful to God for the little they have, whereas in Canada, where we are rich, many have forgotten that He even exists?  If anything else, ought it not be we who fill our churches on Sunday praising and worshiping God for His goodness to us, rather than the other way around?

This is a great mystery, and one which should perhaps make us, who have much, sober.  From which side of the chasm will we behold Lazarus in Abraham’s bosom?  St. Ignatius believed that the answer to this question has a great deal to do with our gratitude.  Perhaps it would be best to start with St. Paul’s exhortation:  ‘Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ’ (Eph. 5:19b–20).

Learning from Sisyphus

source: ellenroseww.wordpress.com

I have spent the last four weeks or so attempting to acquire reading proficiency in a foreign language.  For the most part it has been a rewarding experience, but every now and again I come across a phrase that leaves me with the frustrating question, “Why do they have to say it like that?”  As anyone who has attempted this task before knows, at some point one simply has to let the language be and instead conform the way one thinks to its expressions and idioms.  So much in life we fight and try to shape, only to realize in the end that we are the ones who must make the change.  Everything from weather, to co-workers, to health requires an appropriation on our part in order to overcome the difficulties that inevitably arise.  By realizing this we can begin to work with what God has placed in our lives, allowing ourselves the opportunity to grow, particularly with those things that only wear us down the more we struggle against them.