Put Your Apron On: My missionary experience at L'Arche Community

Conclusion

CONCLUSION

I have gained much from this experience. This has been God's gift to me. It was very easy for me to keep rhythm with them, just to be myself before them. They are very simple people but full of life. As I have said in the previous chapter, they have manifested more of God's gift than I did. I am convinced that in my little way, I have learned the art of loving people with learning disabilities.

Group dynamics and news updates are to be part always of their daily lives, for even in their innocence, they ought to know of what is happening in the world today. Once, I worked as a volunteer with the Brothers of Charity, who also deal with people with learning disabilities. In our evaluation, I told them: "It seems that my little soul is going back to school, where I have to empty myself again and allow the new experience to penetrate into my inner being. To live with these people is just like a school of love, where one learns to accept powerlessness, weaknesses and incapabilities (and ours too)." Practically, with the clients, there is an exchange of feelings and a play of love.

The story of the foot washing is a powerful symbol of this experience. Jesus did not boost about the humility he was showing. He did a menial job, the job of a servant. Being the leader, Jesus should have been at the peak, the one to be served. They should have washed first his feet. But he was not consumed by success or status. His service was fully grounded in being a servant. Yet, a few of the disciples did not recognize Jesus' many actions of servanthood. If they were to be followers of him, they too should have chosen to be servants. Instead, in many instances, they have shown pride in being in the company of the Lord.

The servanthood that I have been referring to many times in this paper is the one that stems from charity and compassion. We cannot be effective key workers if the charity deep within is not burning, when our hearts are not inflamed with the desire of being one with the clients. I have nurtured my vocation in this aspect of self-giving and union with the poor in the world and the disadvantaged, that society may become more just and respectful towards them. A service of communion and love implies commitment.

Putting the apron on is a powerful action too, for it demonstrates strength and conviction. It is not just washing or doing hard labour but of creating wonderful relationships with the clients, re-establishing the kingdom of God, being immersed with them emotionally, spiritually and socially. I have felt the calling- to share my light with the clients as they also enlightened me.

My experience led me to the following reflections: The calling to L'Arche is also a vocation. It is in L'Arche where my apron rested. I have been challenged many times in that putting the apron on is always a sacrifice, and an act of humility and of offering. It is in this that the Master of the Apron is glorified. It is a call to be a fellow foot washer, to get our hands dirty. Many of the clients are unable to express their thanks. It should be my joy to glorify God on their behalf. My L'Arche experience somehow unbound me from my securities and allowed me to wear an apron. Many asked why L'Arche of all places. "I do not know. All I felt was that I was driven inside."

Today, we generally do not have the experience of walking on the street and to get dirty. We should try to search out the vulnerable and weak, and at their doorstep, put our apron on and wash their feet. Even the Lord has put his apron on himself.

"Jesus knew that the Father had put everything into his hands, and that he had come from God and was returning to God, and he got up from table, removed his outer garments and, taking a towel, wrapped it round his waist; then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel he was wearing. (John 13:3-5)

Let me end this paper with an extract from a poem written by Jean Vanier.

If

You believe in me

Then maybe

I can do something worthwhile

Maybe I can do something with my life

Thus

The light of hope begins to burn

Your constant trust in me

Communicates warm sensations of confidence

And faith

That look in your eyes

The touch of your hands

Brings me some marvellous message of hope.