Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Parable and Conscience Meditation July 4

Community  July 4

(The Crosier) knows the Rule of Augustine, the Constitutions of the Order and the Provincial and Regional Statutes (Profile of the Congolese Crosier).

From the dawn of history, humanity has received law as the guarantor of the life and happiness it seeks.  Even in the Garden of Eden, limits were drawn for Adam and Eve.  “Because the day you eat of the fruit, you will certainly die” (Gn 2:17).  After their fall, the way to life was illumined by the Law of Sinai.  “The soul that sins will die” (Ez 18:20).  Jesus defined the law of life in terms of following his discipline of Gospel love.  “Whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (Jn 11:26).  St. Augustine gave even more concrete legislation to his sons in their communal search for life in God, taking account at the same time of the vulnerability of their humanity.  “May the Lord allow you to observe these prescriptions with love . . . giving off in your life the good odor of Christ” (Rule 8.1).  The Constitutions, which flow from the Gospel and the Rule, connect religious life with general law of the Church, while preserving the particular traditions of the Order.  With striking confidence, in the traditional rite of Crosier profession, the superior responds to the confrere professing to follow the Rule and Constitutions, “Do this and I promise you eternal life.”  Law serves life.  Each province, region and community has the right to adapt its religious life to the local situation.  Thus, vital obedience pays attention to the law of the Order and takes care that the law truly remains the guarantor of life.

Near the lamp, one is enlightened. (Proverb)

1 comment:

  1. The soul that sins will die” (Ez 18:20). Jesus defined the law of life in terms of following his discipline of Gospel love. “Whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (Jn 11:26). mindfulnessmavericks.co.uk/

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