I. Charism - La Salle.org

IV. DISCOVERING, LIVING, SHARING THE GIFT OF GOD 71
nised in the social structure of Reims, having easy access to the decision-makers
if not to making decisions himself… someone who
could accomplish good works without committing more than his
money, a little of his time and some credit… What they are: men
with little, with no voice, no power, no connections; those whose
resources depended on the good will of some generous “haves”;
those, above all, whose presence and activity in Reims were connected
to the person of John Baptist de La Salle.
If this gap between them was maintained, the entire Mission would
be threatened. The Mission, that is to say the Christian schools,
that is to say the work of God which they are accomplishing together.
The gap between “what I am and what they are”, becomes temptations,
specious or even reasonable pretext, defiance, anxiety. The
consequences for the work of God: the teachers leaving, the fear
over eventual replacement of teachers. John Baptist de La Salle discovers
and expresses how much the work of God has also become
his work, how much it is linked to his personal commitment with
regard to the teachers. Above all, the work of God would be hindered:
“The schools, without a dependable staff of teachers, will
fail; along with the founding funds. In this case, the heirs of the
foundations will claim the funds contributed for their maintenance”.
The degrees of collapse announced range from lack of confidence
to lack of money via lack of personnel.
From N º 7 on, the questioning changes: no longer “What I am and
what they are”, but “Can I even be Superior of these teachers without
giving up being a canon” It is no longer a question of money,
nor of comparing the social status, but the possibility of continuing
two activities at the same time. It is above all a question of personal
vocation and of discernment. Being a canon implies a presence
in the choir to recite the office of the canons five or six hours a day,
singing the praises of God, rendering other services to the Church
and devoting oneself to the salvation of souls. Being Superior of the