INSTRUMENTS OF THE DIVINE MERCIES
"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old order has passed
away; now all is new! All this has been done by God, who has reconciled
us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation."
2 Cor. 5:17-18
Continue to grow in virtue and in learning, so that you may be
able one day to become the glory of the Society and worthy
instruments of the mercies of heaven towards sinners. Grow
above all in obedience, in simplicity and humility, in love for
Jesus and Mary, in such a way that you might be able to say
that you live from the life itself of her whose name you wish to
bear. Colin. Letter to novices 1846.
INSTRUCTION
1 St Paul describes the mission of Christians as a "ministry of reconciliation." But he recognises that this is true only because we are "in Christ." We have been transformed by the power of Jesus' resurrection. We have become a "new creation."
2 Fr Colin has the same thing in mind as he says that Marists must become "worthy instruments of the divine mercies." He means that the Marist mission is mainly one of reconciliation. But in saying that we must "become" worthy instruments, he implies that what is needed is some sort of personal transformation.
3 For Fr Colin this transformation takes place first of all by "growing in virtue." This will happen if we work at simplifying our lives and if we deal with those things within ourselves that make for obstacles to effective ministry. In particular we must deal with our tendencies to get something for ourselves from our good works, to control others, and to seek attention.
These things were discussed in the previous session.
PRAYER
Pray that God will make you a real instrument of mercy for others.
ACTION
1) Visit someone who is ill or dying, or is housebound or in prison.
Allow
yourself to feel compassion.
Rather than judging or feeling superior or healthier than they are,
enter into their experience.
Identify how you are in some way like them.
In Lourdes at Christmas I met a most remarkable person. She has worked,
as a doctor in the refugee camps in Beirut since 1982. Conditions have been
horrendous and truly life threatening. Yet she has seen here people who needed help
and she has been able to give that help. The need is there in the world.
Like Mary at Cana we have to be aware of the needs of others and respond
generously as the Instruments of the Divine Mercies.
2 Share your experience, your reflections, and your plans with a spiritual companion or
with others learning the Marist Way.
