Doing the impossible, quote from Jean Vanier

When Jesus sent his disciples out on mission, he told them to be poor, to take nothing with them. And he told them to do things that were impossible for them to do all by themselves. So it is for all missions. Communities and their members are called to be poor and to do impossible things, such as to build community and to bring healing, reconciliation, forgiveness and wholeness to people. Mission is to bring the life of God to others, and this can only be done if communities and people are poor and humble, letting the life of God flow through them.

Jean Vanier, in Community and Growth

hat tip to Inward/Outward blog

Gandhi Quote - "apply the following test"

A shoutout goes to Bishop Marc Andrus of the Diocese of California who has posted this quote, and felt it was well worth quoting again:


"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him. Will he gain anything by it? Will it restore him to a control over his own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to swaraj for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and yourself melting away."
~Mahatma Gandhi, 1947

God has a way of speaking to us ... I really drove by this yesterday!

On the way back from my grandparents' 65th (!) Anniversary Party, we drove by this sign:

There is no vacation from my vocation, however, this summer, I am learning a deeper level of humility, kenosis (self-emptying), and how to function on little sleep and much caffeine as I continue to care for my two sons (4 yrs, and nearly 2 yrs). I am learning much about caring for their souls (and bodies, and minds...), and learning much about serving those in need while I set aside some of my own wants.

Many of my friends are serving as curates for their transitional diaconate, and the traditional term "curate" meant "cure" or "care" of souls - that to serve as a curate an ordained person would care for those people surrounding the church and would be specifically charged with care for their souls. The role of a deacon is a wonderful calling, or vocation, and really has to do with leading the laos (ALL the people, "laity" and "clergy") into the world to serve those in need, especially the poor, the sick, those in prison, and those in need. In addition, the deacon "brings" the needs of the world into the worshipping community of the church -they are bridge-builders and servant-leaders.

So, there is no vacation from our vocation, and I know I would do well to remember the vocation of the deacon, and also the important vocation of a curate, which all ordained people should remember (imho) and try to embody.

There is no vacation from our vocation!