A couple weeks ago we celebrated our second annual Inclusion and Human Dignity week, where we heard from Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers on both campuses speaking on the Catholic Social Teaching – Call to Family, Community, and Participation.
As I reflect on his talk, what stood out to me most was how Deacon began with a quote from Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta and how she embodies this Catholic Social Teaching and our Lasallian Catholic values.
Mother Teresa lived among and served the poorest of the poor in the slums of Calcutta, India.
Family – Mother Teresa truly saw every person she encountered in the image and likeness of God; regardless of soci-economic status, medical condition, faith, etc. She demonstrated great reverence for each person as a unique individual. Reverence is the deep respect that communicates a loving care and active concern for the other person. Mother Teresa created a family environment with the sisters who joined her in this mission and amongst the people she served.
Community – Mother Teresa welcomed each person with open arms, actively living out the Beatitudes outlined in the Gospel (Matthew 5:3-12), which Deacon reminded us is the way in which we build community. Thus, Mother Teresa created a community that promoted the Kingdom of God, where people are in loving relationship (philia) with one another. A community built on God’s love that is without boundaries, unconditional, and universal; where genuine care and concern are shown align with accountability and self-correction. People feel seen, known, and loved. It is an authentic human community of relationships that are Christ-centered.
Participation – Deacon Harold shared, “authentic freedom is the alignment of God’s will with yours.” Mother Teresa experienced authentic freedom due to her intimate relationship with God. This is demonstrated through her participation in the fullness of the life of Christ, which called her to found the Missionaries of Charity and serve the poorest of the poor.
On the Winona campus, we have a life-size statue of Mother Teresa that greets people along the pathway from Saint Yon’s to Gilmore Creek. This statue was commissioned by Br. William Mann, FSC and erected in spring 2018. She serves as a reminder to us that we are called to go outside of ourselves and serve. We are called to family, community, and participation.
Reflection Questions:
How are you being called to family? To community? To participation?
How do you reverence your neighbor?
How are you building a community built on God’s love?
How are you pursuing authentic freedom so that you can participate fully?
Learn more about Mother Teresa: Mother Teresa Center and biography.
