Walking Together.....
....towards the General Chapter 2013
Nov. 27th
POOR SHARING THEIR GOODS
For not to that end are the rich, in this Christian warfare, brought low unto piety, that the poor may be lifted up unto pride. As indeed it is by no means seemly that in that mode of life where senators become men of toil, there common workmen should become men of leisure; and whereunto there come, relinquishing their dainties, men who had been masters of houses and lands, there common peasants should be dainty.
De Opere Monachorum 25,33
Through this sharing of goods, we give evidence that we are steeped in that love, according to which we no longer seek what is our own, but rather the common good, and prefer what is of advantage to the many before our own interests. Thus the greatest wealth of the Augustinian community is ever “that vast and extremely rich estate, common to all, which is God.” Consequently, we must earnestly cultivate poverty and, where possible and appropriate, express it in forms that are new and more suited to the understanding of today’s society, as well as particular cultures. It is not sufficient that we depend on the permission of the superior in the use of goods; rather we must be poor both in spirit and in fact (Mt 5:3), storing up our treasure in heaven (see Mt 6:20).
Const.66
The unity of hearts and souls in community is based upon the search for the
common good. Sharing material goods in common is just a first step that initiates
and expresses the dynamics of a life in common. But sharing also prepares and
educates hearts to set aside the private love that separates us from communion
with others (Gen ad lit. 11,15,19).
Our Augustinian life embraces poverty as a disposition of hearts free from
the desire for material things(CC 65), and expresses this freedom when it is able
to share other goods, such as dreams, projects, relationships, missions, duties,
troubles, intellectual and spiritual gifts, etc.
What goods –material or otherwise – am I not able to share with the
community?
Is it still valid the criterion that our communities may live “slightly below the
level of the people to whom our immediate service is directed” (CGI
74, 77)?
You can share your reflections if you want
by email: [email protected]
on the blog http://dreamosa.weebly.com/
....towards the General Chapter 2013
Nov. 27th
POOR SHARING THEIR GOODS
For not to that end are the rich, in this Christian warfare, brought low unto piety, that the poor may be lifted up unto pride. As indeed it is by no means seemly that in that mode of life where senators become men of toil, there common workmen should become men of leisure; and whereunto there come, relinquishing their dainties, men who had been masters of houses and lands, there common peasants should be dainty.
De Opere Monachorum 25,33
Through this sharing of goods, we give evidence that we are steeped in that love, according to which we no longer seek what is our own, but rather the common good, and prefer what is of advantage to the many before our own interests. Thus the greatest wealth of the Augustinian community is ever “that vast and extremely rich estate, common to all, which is God.” Consequently, we must earnestly cultivate poverty and, where possible and appropriate, express it in forms that are new and more suited to the understanding of today’s society, as well as particular cultures. It is not sufficient that we depend on the permission of the superior in the use of goods; rather we must be poor both in spirit and in fact (Mt 5:3), storing up our treasure in heaven (see Mt 6:20).
Const.66
The unity of hearts and souls in community is based upon the search for the
common good. Sharing material goods in common is just a first step that initiates
and expresses the dynamics of a life in common. But sharing also prepares and
educates hearts to set aside the private love that separates us from communion
with others (Gen ad lit. 11,15,19).
Our Augustinian life embraces poverty as a disposition of hearts free from
the desire for material things(CC 65), and expresses this freedom when it is able
to share other goods, such as dreams, projects, relationships, missions, duties,
troubles, intellectual and spiritual gifts, etc.
What goods –material or otherwise – am I not able to share with the
community?
Is it still valid the criterion that our communities may live “slightly below the
level of the people to whom our immediate service is directed” (CGI
74, 77)?
You can share your reflections if you want
by email: [email protected]
on the blog http://dreamosa.weebly.com/
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