St. Paul and St. John Baptist de La Salle

( Thirteenth reflection of a series in the Year of Paul)

After having written earnestly, clearly and spiritually about Faith and Zeal—the spirit of our Institute—De La Salle enters into two very crucial areas about which he proposes as great blessing for the Brother/Teacher. These matters unfold in the 13^th to 16^th Meditations for the Time of Retreat. In keeping with his scriptural and spiritual manner, De La Salle urges all to prepare for the account they will be called upon to present to God upon the entry into our next life with God. He also treats of the happiness and blessedness which will be the everlasting gift of God's love after a life in God's Service.

In this reflection we will focus on accountability. The 13^th meditation begins with the basis of our accountability, namely we are cooperators with God so that the development of the precious God-given human nature  be preserved in each child God has given to our care. To accept this responsibility De La Salle urges us "...to look into the very depths of your heart, and honestly evaluate whether you are faithful messengers of the talents with which you have been blessed". To expand on this point, De La Salle calls upon the parable of the Master who, upon leaving for business, puts his slaves in charge of the property. To one he gives five talents, to another two and to the last just one. (Luke 16.1-8) John Baptist urges us to be completely honest with ourselves. Now this is not to place the measure of perfection upon each of us, but to ascertain whether we are doing the best we can: "...as far as (we) are able"!

The account we will be expected to give is not inconsequential because our ministry is for the development of the greatest of God's creation—the developing human being—John adds a very significant point: "The basic reason for this is, that when they carry out well the service of guides and leaders of the souls entrusted to them, they fulfill at the same time their own duties before God. God will fill them with so much grace that they themselves will be made holy while they are contributing as far as they are able to the salvation of others". (cf....to procure your glory as far as I am able, and you will require of me. Formula of vows) This is the manner in which Brothers/Teachers achieve their own perfection. May we also add, in this our time, that by this ministry we are making a great contribution to making our world a better place. In an obvious manner we are in a most honorable and most important of ministries, that of assisting in the perfection of human nature, that of children and of ourselves. Our Rule, chapter two, paragraph 12, encourages: " In  their educational activity the Brothers seek to integrate the effort for human advancement with the announcement of God' word. They are convinced that any education that respects the human person is a way to open people to God's grace and so dispose them to accept the faith". If we accept a contemporary understanding of humanity as being composed of the same matter as the universe, we are all still evolving. By the life and resurrection of Jesus all the universe is infused with a divine life, and so anything which is genuinely human is genuinely divine. ( A view of faith which applies to everyone )

In the 14^th meditation, De La Salle outlines basic means of this fulfillment:

"God has called you to your ministry in order to procure his glory (Vows) and to give children the spirit of wisdom, the insight to know God, and to enlighten the eyes of their hearts". John draws upon one of the most stunning and profound of Paul's statements in all of his writings, found in Ephesians, chapter one: "Such is the richness of his grace which he has showered on us in all wisdom and insight. He has let us know the mystery of his purpose, according to his good pleasure which he determined beforehand in Christ, for him to act upon when the times had run their course: that he would bring everything together under Christ as head, everything in the heavens and everything on earth." (7-10)

Paul here writes the text which is used by contemporary theology to point to the eternal purpose of God for all creation. John here insists that this wisdom is even for the ‘least of children'.

Referring to his view of ‘vigilence and correction' De La Salle points out two very necessary considerations. The first: "...whether you have not neglected some students because they were the slowest, perhaps also the poorest; and whether you did  show favoritism toward others because they were rich, or pleasant, or naturally possessing more lovable qualities than the others". The second: ‘...whether you have  preferred to teach the (general curriculum subjects rather than catechism) though you must not neglect these, since they are strictly required of you, nevertheless, those lessons that contribute to the support of faith are of much greater importance".

At this point we may feel somewhat inadequate for such a great ministry, and wonder about the account we have to give for such great realities. John says, however, that our account will not depend upon the perfection of the end result of our efforts, but the motivation with which we have approached our ministry. Here one of our greatest traditions comes to the fore: "Let us remember that we are in the Holy Presence of God'.

Further is also to be considered the Parable of the Talents: have we put to good use the talents which have been given to us? Finally, John asks us to reflect upon whether we have been constantly vigilant, and have been serious, self-possessed and patient in vigilance in correction. This will be an important part of the account we have to give.

I am sure that anyone who reads this may have several reactions. My reaction is that I am seeing John Baptist de La Salle in greater and greater depths and appreciation.

Brother James Loxham, FSC