Aelred of Rievaulx, drawing on St. Augustine, writes that friendship means “to converse and jest together, with good-will to honor one another, to read together, to discuss matters together, together to trifle and together to be in earnest; to differ at times without ill-humour.”13
Such a friendship, which includes fun as well as sharing the journey of faith, can be a sacrament of the friendship of God with us and can be a sign of what a good world should be like—a world of companionship rather than one of isolation and competition.
Reflection
Those with companions on the journey can be the builders of a newer
tomorrow, for in the gift of solidarity lies the hope of creating a better world.
Romans 8:12–13
January 14
God the Source of Life
It is one thing to acknowledge our need of God’s grace in the radicality of our sin and brokenness; it is another to see our need for God when we think we are doing well.
At the time of one’s initial conversion one is often gifted with profound insight. Things are seen much more clearly, both in terms of who God is and who we are. God is seen as blinding light. We are seen in the rags of our sinfulness. Over time this sharper vision begins to blur. We often begin to see God less clearly and begin to think too much of ourselves, our piety, and our service.
St. Augustine puts all of this in a much clearer perspective. He writes, “For when I am wicked, to confess to thee means nothing less than to be dissatisfied with myself; but when I am truly devout, it means nothing less than not to attribute my virtue to myself.”14
This way of seeing things need not be an unhealthy self-deprecation. Virtue in the sight of God is not self-produced but grace-induced. It is the Holy Spirit doing his renewing and beautifying work in us. We live and act graced by the goodness of God.
While we are called to cooperate with the Spirit, we are not the source of goodness. Goodness is the fruit that the Spirit grows within us. Thus, God is to be praised rather than we should lapse into self-congratulation.
Thought
God alone is the life-giver who makes me whole. Therefore, God’s grace is the source of goodness rather than mere human self-effort.
2 Timothy 4:7
January 15
The Long Journey of Faith
The beginning of the Christian journey needs to be deeply rooted in the grace of Christ. Its long continuance needs a similar source. The Holy Spirit needs to sustain us.
Living the Christian life well is not to be a solo hero. Instead, it is all about being sustained by the goodness of God. And it is all about companions on the journey.
St. Ignatius writes, “I am only beginning to be a disciple [of Christ], so I address you as my fellow students. I needed your coaching in the faith, encouragement, endurance, and patience.”15
This is a surprising call in the midst of a hierarchical culture where the bishop or the teacher was above the need of others. This humility in this early church father follows the humility of Christ. Christ called
companions to be with him. They were with him in his earthly mission. He needed their prayers in the dark garden of Gethsemane.
We need to be marked by the same humility. We need others to
accompany us; others to teach us; others to nurture and encourage us; and others to be patient with us. The Christian life is lived in community. It is a common journey with brothers and sisters in the faith.
The Christian life is, therefore, so much more than merely attending church. It is building a life together with family and friends for a common journey of faith.
Thought
Let me thank God this day for the companions he has given me for my faith journey. Let me be thankful for those who teach, nurture, challenge, and encourage me in the way of faith and in living life well.
Galatians 6:14
January 16
A Different Way
Christ’s way was out of step with both the religious leaders and politicians of his day. The follower of Christ should share a similar fate. In step with Christ means to be out of step with the world’s agenda and priorities.
In his Rule, St. Benedict writes: “Your way of acting should be different from the world’s way; the love of Christ must come before all else.”16
The challenge of this church father is that when we live and serve in and through the love of Christ our way of being and acting in the world will have qualities that should make us different from the dominant values of contemporary culture. Christ’s way disconnects us from what is, but reconnects us to the world as prophet and healer.
A number of things stand out as to what that may look like when we seek to go Christ’s way.
The first is that Jesus was not driven by a self-seeking agenda. He sought only to do the will of God. Second, Jesus was not driven by a
societal agenda but a reformist one. He sought to bring in the reign of God. Third, Jesus was not committed to the rule of law but the power of love. Restoration, healing, and the renewal of persons and communities was his great mission.
Finally, Jesus was willing to pay the price for the outworking of his vision and love. He gave himself to voluntary suffering. Clearly, if we seek to live Christ’s way in the world these are the challenges we also need to face.
Reflection
The way of Christ in the world is different than the way of religion. The latter has often sought to dominate, but Christ came to serve and renew.
1 Corinthians 13:13
January 17
The Power of Love
When compared with various forms of power—political, institutional, or ideological—love seems to be so weak. But love’s power lies in its ability to create a different way of being that leads to goodness and wholeness.
While some wish to contrast love and power—making love powerless and power powerful—love is a form of power. Love has an effect. Love does make an impact. Love does have the power to do, to achieve, to create, to move people forward. And while negative forms of power may also move people, but at a great cost in terms of goodness and well-being, love has its own way. It has its own unique form of power that moves others to well-being.
William of St. Thierry reminds us that: “The art of arts is the art of love.”17 Love, therefore, is the greatest creativity.
Put differently, the greatest wisdom one can achieve is the wisdom of love. The greatest skill one can develop is the ability to love well—that brings empowerment and wholeness to others. And the greatest quality one can have is to be a loving person.
While
