I have experienced it in the past, e.g., with the lads in Christian Surfers in Christchurch, NZ; with Kelvin Wright at All Saints, Sumner, NZ; and with Woody, Dave, Cath, Sandy in the Schools Team in Oz; and then with Bill and Eve at the Café in Custom House, London. For a time, with all of those, there was a degree of intimacy of companionship in the context of mission.
But it was only for a relatively short time. I wish for a longer time.
Ignatius encouraged his Jesuits to have close friendships, to be loyal companions, and to be intimate in the depth of their conversations. But he also required that, should mission demand it, they were not to allow their friendships to stand in the way of mission. This is where the tension lies between companionship and mission.
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1 comment:
that's very true richard. and i think it goes some way in helping to relieve some of the awkwardness that is sometimes out of those reunions.
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