1.5 Commitment
STAGE 1: Facing Reality
ENVIRONMENTAL SUFFERING
FACING CONSEQUENCES
COMMITMENT
Aim: To trust and be committed to our bond of friendship with Wisdom in order to make a difference in the world.
Reading
Friendship with Wisdom (LEW 64): “The bond of friendship between eternal Wisdom and humanity is so close as to be beyond our understanding. Wisdom is for humanity and humanity is for Wisdom. ‘She is an infinite treasure for us human beings’ (Wis 7:14) and not for angels or any other creature. Wisdom’s friendship for man and woman arises from their place in creation, from their being abridgements of eternal Wisdom’s marvels, her small yet ever so great worlds, her living images and representatives on earth. Since Wisdom, out of an excess of love, gave herself up to death to save man and woman, she loves them as brothers and sisters, friends, disciples, pupils, prices of her own blood and coheirs of her kingdom. For man and woman to withhold their heart from Wisdom or to wrench it away from her would constitute an outrage”.
Comment
St. Louis-Marie de Montfort has great confidence in human beings whom he defines as “abridgements of eternal Wisdom’s marvels”. His belief that “Wisdom is for humanity and humanity is for Wisdom” makes him trust the power and efficacy of their “bond of friendship”. It is commitment to this deep friendship that transforms the community of the believers and the world around.
This is what happened to the first believers: “Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need” (Acts 4:32-35).
Pope Francis emphasizes the importance of staying committed to Christ in our endeavour to face the ecological crisis. In numbers 99 and 100 of Laudato Sì he writes: “In the Christian understanding of the world, the destiny of all creation is bound up with the mystery of Christ, present from the beginning: ‘All things have been created through him and for him’ (Col 1:16). […] Christ is present throughout creation by his universal Lordship: ‘For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross’ (Col 1:19-20). This leads us to direct our gaze to the end of time, when the Son will deliver all things to the Father, so that ‘God may be everything to every one’ (1 Cor 15:28)”.
Personal Reflection and Sharing
“Nothing that you desire can be compared with Wisdom” (Prov 8:11). “If you do not desire Wisdom, you desire always something of far less worth” (LEW 73). How committed am I to seeking Wisdom in my life?
Can I say that my commitment to Christ-Wisdom makes a difference both in me and in the world around me? If so, in what concrete ways?
[1-5] CALL RESPONSE COMMITMENT PRAYER