Constitutional text - Chapter Tree - Our Community life

distasteful to some people because they have never experienced
meetings that have been well prepared and effectively
directed. Beneficial meetings don't just "happen", they
are the result of a number of factors.
On the strictly human level a good meeting requires leadership
that is sensitive and gifted with interpersonal skills
in order to establish an atmosphere of openness, trust and
dialogue; the good will of the members of the meeting; a
focus to the meeting; and often, time and patience. When
speaking of meetings that aim at the spiritual needs _ of the
rnembers, these factors are the "nature" upon which_grace
will build.
•
Good spiritual leadership will require a deep faith in the
presence of the Spiritata meeting; the creating of a
prayerful atmosphere; members attentive to the Spirit in
themselves and in one another; Gospel values as constant
reference points; and once again, time and patience.
- time to celebrate and be leisurely present to one another.
Healthy corrnm.mity life demands time for festivity, for
spontaneity to break through the "seriousness" with which
we often enough surround our lives. We too easily become
so "intense and busy about saving the world" that we forget
it is in God's hands and that we have also been called to
recognize his gifts and rejoice in them. We need time to
sing, laugh, and play together. On the human level it often
creates an atmosphere and spirit that energizes and gives
perspective. On the spiritual level it contributes to the
capacity to be present to the Lord in "useless" time - for
no other reason than to simply be with him.
Other means that could be mentioned are: hospitality; some sign by
which the group is recognized as a religious corrnm.mity; provisions
for the sick, the suffering and the elderly.
To build a religious conrrnunity is a task that demands an awareness
of what is involved, a certain energy and willingness to engage in
the project, and a capacity to be lovingly patient, but persistent
with the process. All the best intentions in the world and the most
sublime ideals about conmunity will not, in fact, create and sustain
corronunity. Only a clear idea of the means necessary, a shared commitment
to use these means, and an authentic collaboration with the
Spirit in this work will result in the birth, growth and life of a
religious colTlJll.lllity.
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