The homily of the Eucharistic celebration - the closing of GCO
The two readings you have chosen for this closing celebration are linked with each other by the key word: LOVE. ‘Each part”, so Paul is saying, “is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building it self up in love”, whereas the Gospel as just read ends by saying: “so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them”. This same key word we can also choose as the shortest summary of our GCO, which we close today, although during these two weeks we did not often used the word love. But the atmosphere speaks for itself.
You will remember that we started this GCO as a quest to the treasure chamber of our congregation, hoping that in the end we are welcomed by fresh air again.
What kind of treasures did we discover during our quest?
One of the most important experiences is about the phenomenon of transition, the process of change which exceeds the common daily developments. We started to reflect on our togetherness in a more adult and refined way. Our mutual bond is no longer determined only by our working power, we explicitly choose to be not only colleagues. We have discovered that our mutual relation has a dimension of solidarity which goes beyond the urge to perform. This dimension we want to shape more concretely.
Where the working sector is more defined by the effective element, our mutual bond is more touching the affective side in us. So we have started to pay regard in a realistic way to the difference in age between the various provinces and the region, as a treasure we have to cherish. Both individual and in togetherness as a province/region, the sisters who have reached (more than) obviously the age of retirement, are being valued more and more and we expect that they continue to give their affective attention and love, which absolutely are well-matched to the effective contributions to the organisational aspects of the congregation.
Transition also colours our board structure. Except the organisational aspect and the governing in an effective and efficient way, we have looked for the implementation of living in unity based on equality. We are becoming conscious of the necessity to dare to challenge each other and take the risk that not all policy items and decisions are giving the desired results. We must not be discouraged by the normal rhythm of ups and downs which we take for granted as a consequence of our dedication. In relation to this we want to make use more regularly and more intensively of silence, prayer and reflection as an approved instrument in taking decisions which guarantee that we do not pursue our own interests, but are really open for the needs of that entity which we call the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady.
As essence of the living of our obedience, our attitude is one of holy indifference in the process of discernment of the spirit. We are not limiting the obedience to a pure matter of rules and guidelines as written in the Constitutions, but we are broadening this to a creative living of our unwritten spirituality. We are making obedience to a way of life which is no longer like a label sticked on to us, but it becomes the key for our belonging together.
We may experience also transition in the kind of mourning process which we go through concerning the future of the Motherhouse in Amersfoort
This process challenges us to stay together in solidarity with the Dutch province, shoulder to shoulder in their declining process.
Are we ready to accept the inheritance of the beginning of the Congregation without an absolute claim on the stones of that building? Are we able to build up an inheritance which takes into account the actual situation and to build up ourselves becoming the living stones of the Congregation of Our Lady?
Flexibility of mind to give up the historical place, will, - in my opinion , also free the Dutch sisters from the burden of many counsel business in the congregation which is more and more beyond their mental and physical strength.
They undoubtedly look forward more and more to enjoy their retirement and to live the on-going unity with their fellow-sisters in the whole congregation in an atmosphere of affective togetherness.
The concrete perspective to give up the Motherhouse in Amersfoort
It is good to question ourselves at times where our home is, the house where we are at home, where we find spiritual refreshment. The house that makes that we will not any longer be wanderers who are going everywhere but nowhere are at home.
An element of transition we surely also find in the future of Malawi
They, from their side, can give a specific African contribution to the spirituality of the congregation. Grasp this chance in a creative way in the Spirit of the Gospel!
It seems to me that the open atmosphere and the willingness during this GCO to think together about both the chances and the difficulties, has already opened great expectations for modelling a fruitful collaboration.
To finish, we can say that this GCO has been a success thanks to the loyal and animating presence of a team which, without fuss, was at our service in the kitchen, the dining room, the laundry and elsewhere in and outside this house of retreat. They were not only ‘decoration’, but they especially have in an excellent way, given shape to the spirit of servitude which forms the heart of our spirituality. It is far from us that we, as leaders in the congregation, should have come here to be served instead of being servants ourselves.
May the example of concrete servitude, given us by this often ‘invisible‘ staff during this GCO, inspire us to fulfil our functions of leadership, stimulated by our obedience which always has the intention to be at the service of our fellow-man and women.
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