Leadership
What Images Are Guiding Our Conversations?
by Fr. Mark Miller, c.pp.s., Provincial Councilor
The question continues to be asked, “What might this new creation
look like?” Of course, if we knew the answer we could stop talking to one
another and simply implement what has been decided. However, we are
not yet at that point. But what might be some criteria to move us to that
illusive answer?
The question has often been asked, “What would Gaspar do if he were
living today?” Assuming that he would be consistent with what he did
in the past, it seems to me he would be reflecting upon areas such as:
who are the “bandits” of today? No longer are people refusing to serve
in the military but there are many who are trying to escape the horrors
of dictator governments and death squads. Who are the ones who have
been shut out, pushed down, walked over, or relegated to the edges of
society? Who are the ones who are living in the caves, under the bridges,
in abandoned buildings in our cities, in our prisons? Who are the ones
who need to hear a message of hope and of dignity? Who are the ones
who need to hear a message of inclusivity and of acceptance?
I am reminded of the summer I spent in Detroit living in the rectory
of St. Anthony parish. Our whole class went there while in theology
to minister as tutors in the public schools in the area or to work in the
youth center. It was the first time I smelled marijuana. No, I didn’t smoke
it or inhale, but the youth director wanted us to be able to detect it in
case it was in the youth center. Here we were, living in community, but
ministering to those whom others wanted to relegate to the edges of
society. Even though most of us saw it as more of an adventure at the
time, it was indeed a faithful response to what Gaspar would have done.
Are we still in ministries that would parallel that experience in Detroit?
Another image that might help us move to the new creation is: “With
whom do we stand?” Are we willing to stand with the undocumented,
with those who belong to the lgbtq community, the imprisoned on
death row, those who are living with aids, or those suffering from mental
illness who feel all alone? There are reasons why the number of suicides
is increasing in our day. Too many people, young and old, feel they have
reached the end of their rope, and instead of tying a knot and hanging
on they turn it into a noose of one kind or another. With whom do we
stand? With whom would Gaspar stand if he were living today?
Our spirituality calls us to express its universality within our
ministries. Those of us who minister in parishes know how difficult it
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November 2018 • The New Wine Press • 3