Sr Ann-Marie, Australia, reflects upon the challenge of her Marist vocation and the images which have helped her to live her calling.
My call to live the life of a Marist sister has been both life giving and challenging. As human beings every situation in today’s complex and rapidly changing world evokes a response in us. Marist Spirituality gives me a perspective through which to view life and a framework within which to live my life. My call to be Marist is a call to enter into the heart of the Gospel in order to bring God’s love to the world and contribute to the building up of a Marian Church. Mary has chosen me to embrace a spirituality that will enable me to be her presence and do her work in today’s world.
Marist living is therefore a challenge to ‘be’ in a certain way – Mary’s way. As a Marist Sister I am called to see all the events and circumstances of my life though a particular lens – that of Mary which of its very nature is that of her Son. It is much more than doing a particular task or belonging to a tightly knit group. It must envelop my whole being and find its expression through my individual gifts and personality. While it brings simplicity to life it is both radical and challenging in its implementation.
Central to Marist spirituality is the call to ‘think, judge, feel and act as Mary’. While this is often quoted the importance of the order of the words is not always recognized. The more I know and understand the mind and heart of Mary the more my judgments, feelings and actions will be in line with hers and will give expression to what is at the very heart of Marist Spirituality.
To think, judge, feel and act as Mary. This challenges me to live a life of prayer. It has set me on a life long journey, one committed to pondering Mary’s life and her response to the call to bring her Son to the world.
There are countless images of Mary that continue to enrich my understanding of her and inform my attempt to be her presence in today’s world. Most natural for reflection is that of Mary as Mother.
A mother is often the first to anticipate a problem and as Mary did at the wedding feast at Cana is quick to step in and offer a solution. But her strongest bond with her children lies not in the tasks she does but in her very presence in the life of her child. For a mother each child is unique and special. She rejoices with and delights in her child. She looks for goodness rather than bewailing the shortcomings. The sensitivity of motherhood, the nurturing, compassionate presence of a mother, self sacrificing, strong yet gentle, all describe characteristics central to Marist Spirituality. Motherhood calls for strength and conviction and responds with vigor in the face of injustice. It is particularly considerate of those who are most vulnerable. In my living of Marist spirituality its sensitive, compassionate and gentle aspect must combine with passionate action in the face of injustice.
Another image that has enriched my understanding of Mary and given me a framework within which to live life is that of ‘midwife’. A midwife has a significant role in the birthing process. In the messiness and struggle of a new life coming to birth the midwife guides, encourages, assists and engages in the process. He/she adapts to changing circumstances and all the while remains focused on the task of bringing new life to birth. The midwife does not seek attention and is often not known by name and almost always quickly forgotten. He/she is not possessive of the engagement in the process and when the child is born, the midwife moves quickly away.
An image treasured by Marists since our foundation is that of Mary present among the Apostles at Pentecost. This is a dynamic not static image. Mary is present in the birthing of the Church not only at Pentecost but throughout all time. Being the presence of Mary in today’s world challenges me to bring Christ to birth in the minds and hearts of those I encounter. This challenge is all embracing and applies equally to the most incidental encounter as well as more significant events. Marist simplicity demands that I engage in the messiness of life in a vital yet unpretentious way. It challenges me to live up to the Founder’s call to say no to greed, power and prestige.
Throughout my life I have also gained great inspiration from the image of Mary, the Model Disciple of Jesus, standing like a bridge between God and humanity. Called to walk in the footsteps of Mary this image very simply sums up the mission entrusted to me at my baptism. In encountering the world I must help it find its heart and lead it to God. The challenges of my life are found in the events of daily life, in the difficulties and self-transcendence inherent in a life of service.
I believe Marist Spirituality is a timeless spirituality that today’s complex and materialistic world is crying out for. It speaks to what is at the very heart of being human. I have found the living of it both meaningful and rewarding. It is a source of great peace and happiness. But it is also challenging and demanding. I gain confidence from the knowledge that as I try to adopt the prayerful, pondering heart of Mary I know that she is walking through life with me, guiding and directing me. To the extent that I allow Mary to do this I can be confident that I am doing her work in today’s world. |
