Cooked in the Common Pot

Common House: shared talents, shared responsibilities

We are here not as private owners of things, but of common possession. Our witness becomes credible when we live lives in an evangelical lifestyle. One of the greatest challenge is in the way we live the simplicity of life here as a witness of poverty. Anywhere in the whole world, our communities are always far better than the life outside. We are educated, fed, sustained, and supported (financially, materially and educationally) by our institute. But how do we value everything that has been given to us? We cannot say that I am here because I could be sent to school, because there is security, because I have the comfort. They are all for us! It is reflected in our lifestyle, especially when we start to accumulate things in order to answer our personal wants, or to satisfy my ego- simply because I want to have it.

We are the owners of the house, just like you are a part of the village. As a family, each one should be concerned for the house and all that is in it. That is the foundation of relations. It is not that you are not in- charge of the doors, you don't close it. If you see something dirty, you don't clean it because it is not your assignment. Every single aspect in the house we have the responsibility, and we cannot just turn our head away from it. Care and attention is required in each one in order for you to be called a real community person. Service is expressed through our deep friendship with and affection for our brothers. It makes our community more humane. The gifts of servanthood and communion are very evident and each one is not a nuisance but a gift, and therefore, each has something to offer.

It is encouraged if not a must that what we have is supposed to be used for evangelization, promotion of our work and proper use for our sustenance. No property is considered personal, which is why we are duty bound to inform the person in charge in the use of our goods. (RL 31.4) All what we have here are to be used according to their purpose respecting the intention of our benefactors- that what we get in the community is to be used according to the meaning of our missionary goal.

One of our greatest mistakes in community life is the total abandonment of our gifts and talents. And if we have them, it is less likely to share them to the community- it is either we are shy or proud and selfish. Every member can contribute from the gifts he has received. No one is to be considered greater or lesser than the other. But sometimes, when we divide offices (services in our house) the greatest tendency is to cling on to the work we are very familiar and comfortable with, something we find easy to do and fitting to our wants. We refuse change, because it will break our personal plans.

Amazingly, our talents are hidden either because we are less appreciated by others and we want appreciation, or simply because we want others to beg us to play the drums, to clean something, to do a favour, to take a responsibility. And when they ask as if prostrating themselves for me to accept a job, "I would feel good and proud, for my brothers are seeking so much of me...." That is hypocrisy. We are not meant to be Pharisees, but servants who know how to put his apron on. We are called for the development of our talents that may benefit our missionary service. Each one has his own special gift, and it should be exercised for the growth of charity and to the good of the community.