fraternal dialogue and obedience to authority
We are concluding a year dedicated to contemplating God the Father, to divine fatherhood. This theme is also gently touched upon in Article 92 of the document on consecrated life, Vita consecrata. In a broader sense, these paragraphs are thought-provoking even for non-religious individuals. Each of us is part of several communities of different natures (family, parish, workplace, etc.). Not only children, but we adults – the “grown-ups” – often must or have various ways of “listening”.
Vita consecrata, Art. 92: Together fulfilling the Father's will
(the highlighting of individual parts of the text is the work of our editorial team)
The testimony of those consecrated to God
living a religious life
holds special significance
also for its dimension of community,
which is one of its essential characteristics.
Fraternal life
is a privileged place
for recognizing and accepting God's will
with the aim of its collective realization
in the unity of minds and hearts.
Obedience enlivened by love unites the members of the institute,
so that – despite differing gifts
and considering the individuality of each person –
they may share in the same testimony and mission.
In an environment of brotherhood animated by the Holy Spirit,
each member lives in a very precious dialogue with others,
so that together they may learn the Father's will.
In the person of the superior, all recognize
the expression of divine fatherhood
and the exercise of authority,
which has been received from God for the service of discernment
and building community.
The life of such a community
is then an important sign of unity for the church and society
emerging
– across all differences of race, origin, language, and culture –
from the same calling
and the common will to fulfill this calling.
In contrast to the spirit of discord and division,
authority and obedience shine
as a sign
of that unique fatherhood that comes from God,
born of the Spirit's brotherhood,
inner freedom of the one who trusts in God
despite the human limitations of all those
who represent God.
In this obedience,
which some accept as a way of life,
one can experience
and for the benefit of all proclaim
that blessedness,
which Jesus promised to those,
“who hear the word of God and keep it” (Lk 11:28).
Moreover, the one who keeps obedience
has the assurance
that they truly fulfill the mission,
that they follow the Lord
and do not remain merely in their wishes and desires.
Thus they can experience,
that they are led by the Spirit of the Lord
and that even amid great difficulties
they are supported by His strong hand (cf. Acts 20:22).
Prepared by P. Gorazd and P. Norbert, O.Carm.
