JPIC Page

PRAY FOR PEACE

By Andy Buchleitner, OFS (JPIC)

To be most effective when working for Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation, our efforts must always include fervent prayer.  The first action we take, in fact, should be a prayer to discern God's Will before we even begin the endeavor. Furthermore, it is a perfect opportunity for us to humbly express our inadequacies while petitioning His help. But how easy it is to "just get busy," forgetting how much we need God's intervention. Perhaps we should remind ourselves that His Will is always done, with or without us - and sometimes even in spite of us.

St. Theresa of Calcutta used to say that she and her Sisters would "pray their work." But what does this really mean?  Jim Towey, the founder or my ministry and former co-worker\lawyer for Mother Teresa, just helped complete a beautiful new movie produced by the Knights of Columbus called "Mother Teresa: No Greater Love." (In theaters soon.). Looking through my tears as I watched a special showing, I did indeed see what praying the work looks like. But rather than give an inadequate description, I strongly suggest that you go see this film. If ever there was a perfect example of the love of God manifest through the working of humble servants, it is the prayed work of Mother's Sisters of Charity. It is impossible to express in words the beauty they exhibit in their caring for the poorest of the poor as they restore the lost dignity they uncover in these children of God.  And it is only through intimate communion with God through prayer and the Eucharist could they ever be able to do this.

I just returned from a retreat given by two graduates of the Franciscan University in Stubenville where they talked about the different methods of prayer practiced by the four most universal spirituality types. This is what I learned: The first type of approach, which they called the Path of the Intellect, modeled the prayer style of St. Teresa of Avila. Those that adhere to this practice pursue to discover the transcendental values of truth, goodness, beauty, unity, love, life and spirit, exerting superhuman effort to achieve their goal. 

The second method of prayer, the Path of Devotion (followed by the majority of Saints yet only 12% of the population), cal!s for one's imagination to transpose the world of scripture to everyday realities. Sounds like bringing the Gospel to Life and Life to the Gospel.

The third, followed by nearly half of those that pray, is the Path of Service. Typically we will find these individuals inclined to be free-spirited, acting according to how their spirit moves them. This spirituality (prayer) tends to lead to loving service as the beauty and dignity of Creation is clearly revealed, especially as one begins to find God in his neighbor.

The fourth and most popular prayer is the Path of Asceticism. Much like the St. Ignatius' "excercises," the goal of this practice is to discern God's Will that we may overcome disorderly affections in order to make decisions that best conform to proper action.

No one particular spirituality type is superior.  The fact that all lead to an encounter with God is what matters.  Each practice is just that which is the one best suited for the particular individual. Many people actually utilize multiple types when communing with God. The most important objective for any prayer should be that, regardless of which Path you're on, it leads to love - both of God and neighbor. 

Prayer is an action word.  Whether we see the results of our efforts or not, be confident that prayer is of foremost importance in working for Peace, Justice and the Integrity of Creation.  God wants to be included. He's there to help.  Pray your work and then just get busy!

Received 10/27/2022

Home

 "GONE FISHING"

by Andy Buchleitner, OFS [JPIC]



"Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch." (Luke 5:4) As a fisherman, I know that many times it's better and even necessary to go deep. With greater fishing pressure close to the launch, many of those fish have already been caught or gotten wary with all the boats chasing them. But boy are the fish hungry that live miles offshore and never see the bait on a fisherman's hook! Applying Luke's words to everyday life, we can find an analogy when we consider people who live in closer proximity to services. Are they not typically better served? Sometimes they can even become a bit overwhelmed with the service options they have available to them or maybe feel a little "pestered" by the number of those trying to help. The individuals who perform services certainly prefer the convenience of helping "clients" nearby, where limited effort is required on their part. But what about those not being served, perhaps living in rural or difficult areas to get to? Or maybe dwelling in dangerous neighborhoods. Perhaps they themselves may be undesirable, even posing a threat? 

We all have our heroes. St. Teresa of Calcutta is mine. I try to emulate, in some small way, her approach to serving the poor. In fact, my last 16 years have been spent working with a ministry whose founder, Jim Towey, Mother's lawyer for many years, attributes as its co-founder. If ever there was someone who "plunged into the deep," it was St. Teresa. Leaving her home and position of security, she answered a calling to serve the poorest of the poor, those no one would serve, the "bottom of the barrel" in the world's eyes. So allow me to give a couple concrete examples of how we, while living in this more developed and prosperous country, are still able to cast our nets into uncharted water to seek out the underserved, the poorest of the poor that truly do live among us.

One of the first outreach programs that comes to mind was an effort our ministry designed to serve those not typically reached by other food outreach programs. Our target population lived outside the city, rented nearly unlivable mobile homes from absentee landlords and had little source of income. Most had no transportation and depended on shared resources from within their immediate community to make ends meet. All had absolutely no support from social services or faith-based programs. Once these areas of need were (easily) discovered, we would make our approach by offering "free food" collected from food banks, grocery stores and community donations. As our weekly deliveries to these remote locations became overwhelming for our limited number of volunteers, we expanded their numbers by advertising the need for additional volunteers at different churches. The response was spectacular! We found that, just by a simple invitation to join us, many were eager to serve. This effort has continued to grow for over thirty years and has ultimately become not only a blessing for those served but, perhaps even more so, a blessing for the individuals and many entire families that have become involved as volunteers.

Another outreach that most have a hesitancy in pursuing is prison ministry. But it is where many present day lepers of society live. In my experience, there are few who suffer "the greatest poverty in the world - loneliness," as St. Teresa often said, than those incarcerated. Most are completely abandoned by family and society, never even receiving any mail. For the incarcerated Catholic, not only are they under attack from the unbelievers and those of other denominations but seldom find any support from the Catholic community. I've met many "inside" who have gone years without ever seeing a priest or deacon. Prison ministry - Yes, it is deep water but teeming with those just praying to be caught.

But regardless of the kind of service God is asking, what does He really desire? That we cast our net into the deep water. Become deep sea fishermen. To get out of our comfort zone and take the plunge! Have courage, and if you find yourself in troubled waters just remember, you have a Lifeguard Who can walk on water.