9 The world on sabbatical!
The missionary was enthusiastic about his
sabbatical year. He had had a chance to rest, to study, to pray, to
take possession of himself again. His energy had been restored and
his enthusiasm renewed. And yet he knew that little need have
happened. He felt that if he had not found the courage to call
himself into question, his year would have been pleasant but
ineffectual. He would have returned to his mission in Africa with
nothing more than an increase in intellectual baggage.
Today the cry for reconciliation echoes around
the world. Just arranging for opposing sides to talk to each other is
a big achievement. "All our misfortunes derive from one single
thing, which is our inability to be at ease in the same room"
(Pascal).
A contemplative patristic writer traced all
conflict to a failure to call ourselves into question. "Yet the
reason for all disturbance, if we look to its roots, is that no one
finds fault with himself." And Vatican II took up the idea:
"The tensions disturbing the world of today are in fact related
to a more fundamental tension rooted in the human heart."
(Gaudium et Spes 10)
Of course the world couldn't take a sabbatical
year. But it could restore the Sabbath day.
Welcome
to the site of the TransCanada Province of the Spiritans. We are a
Roman Catholic Religious Congregation of over three thousand members,
founded in 1703. Our missions are spread worldwide. While we may be
found involved in many diverse ministries, we have dedicated
ourselves to working with the poor and in those situations where the
Church has difficulty in finding ministers. We hope you enjoy your
visit to our site and that while browsing you will keep us in your
prayers. May God bless you.
