BROTHERS CMM

SOURCES
ABOUT THE
ENTRY AND THE
EXIT OF LIFE
Zwijsen’s attention for merciful love
Care for the little ones colours our togetherness. Attention for the seriously ill is a
powerful indicator of the human climate amongst us. As a general rule: the quality
of a society of people can be measured by the degree of care given to the weakest link.
This is the fundamental rule of merciful love.
This thought about vulnerability and vulnerable periods in life was
particularly dear to Zwijsen. Our Founder did not exclude any kind
of good work. Discrimination on the grounds of age was foreign
to him. He did focus, however, on two crucial turning periods in a
person’s life: his entry into the world and his exit from the world.
He gave preference to the young and to those of very advanced age.
Their vulnerability was of special concern to him. From experience
he knew how much a well lived youth and the ability to leave this
life in peace, more than anything else, would determine the quality
of one’s entire life.
That practical orientation came from a religious background. Jesus
was aware that he had come from God and was returning to God
(cf. John 13:3). That was also Zwijsen’s vision: the origin and the
destiny of every person lies with God, the Merciful One. The path
of life of a human being asks for security and new chances, for a
sense of direction and space. That is true especially when people
are young or old. That is why Zwijsen in describing the missionary
task for his sisters and brothers, accentuates the entry and the exit
of life.
Brother Harrie van Geene
23