The love of Christ
Sr. Maria Ko, a member of the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco, led the delegates in a day of reflection in preparation for discussion of the Instrumentum Laboris. Sr. Maria has an extensive background that includes seminary education (she teaches New Testament Exegesis in Rome, Hong Kong and other locations), the development and implementation of workshops and lectures around the world, and she has written extensively on intercultural societies.
She began by noting that a General Chapter is a time of challenge for the congregation, but also an occasion to "warm our hearts" and be "surprised by the Lord." Consecrated life, she continued, is nourished by a love that is "not a static reality" but one that "moves us." Religious are called to reflect the splendor of God's love and go beyond what "we believe to be our limits."
The theme of this General Chapter is "The Love of Christ Compels Us." She shared how St. Paul, strengthened and inspired by the love of Christ, was compelled to evangelize. Today, SCJs can also be compelled by that love to be in service to the Gospel. "A small, humble person can do do something amazing by allowing himself to be molded by God... The love of Christ is such a strong force."
"The love of Christ, the love of God, is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit," she continued. "That idea of 'pouring' is so important. It makes one think of something that it is plentiful and in abundance."
After Sr. Maria's first presentation, the delegates were asked to spend time in meditation, reflecting on the Rule of Life and the tasks of the chapter through the eyes of the Heart of Christ, or in the love of Christ. "What is your perception of love?" she asked. "Do you have a heart of stone, or do you allow your heart to be penetrated by God? Do you allow yourself to be surprised by God? How do you listen and act with a heart of love?"
Following personal reflection time, delegates gathered together for Adoration.
In the afternoon session, she continued to reflect on how the love of Christ "compels us." One needs to have a heart in harmony with the heart of Christ to truly be moved to action in that love.
"We are called to follow Christ," she continued, "but Christ is not at a standstill. We care called to follow Christ but also to continually work to remain in his footsteps." Love opens an intuitive knowledge of others, it is the basis of creating harmony.
To love fully is something one needs to practice, just as one must practice an instrument to become skilled in playing it.
"Don't just fill silence with words," she urged her listeners. It is important sometimes to simply "be there and allow His love to enter more deeply into our hearts."
Sr. Maria then spoke of community and how together in love a community may flourish. In this globalized world with many cultures often at conflict with each other, religious communities can be a model of what is possible when community is based in love. Within local communities, and the wider community of the international congregation, there is much diversity. Yet through Christ's love, there can be harmony even in the midst of the greatest of diversity. "Look at the apostles," she said. "Jesus did not choose them because they were homogeneous."
At the end of the afternoon presentation, delegates were invited to share their thoughts on Sr. Maria's talks. Several said that her words were an excellent complement to the work of the chapter, especially as it moves into discussions of the Instrumentum Laboris.
Full presentations
Sr. Maria's two presentations will be available in several languages on the congregational website:
http://www.dehon.it
Leadership discernment begins
Before delegates left for the day they were given "ballots" to indicate possibilities for the election of superior general and councilors. It was emphasized that this is a "pre-straw ballot." The surfacing of names is only the first step in the discernment process for leadership. Ballots will be collected at the start of Tuesday's sessions.
