Comboni Community Life (2)

2. In Communion and Prayer: Our documents state, "The community celebration of the Eucharist and of Reconciliation brings us to share our deepest experiences of God. They strengthen our bonds of fraternity and they make us rediscover the joy of proclaiming the Gospel."

It is of the highest priority to review our style of life in order to give to prayer a fundamental role and the necessary time. Prayer is the oxogen we need in order to breath and to live! Without prayer, community and consecrated life become just another structure to be kept up, another organization to be managed. Experience teaches that when the things to do ~ the meetings, the planning sessions, the activities and the deadlines multiply... it is a must to give more time to prayer!

3. Mercy and Reconciliation: "We need, especially in the hardest times, experienced communities where mercy and pardon are found, able to offer a welcoming and healing space to confreres who have been battered by life." We are human and we make mistakes, we may fall and need help to get back up! I once came across some writings of the desert fathers that were very inspiring ~ there was a quote that said something like, "Cover the faults of your brothers with the cloak of forgiveness and charity." Forgiveness is not optional but fundamental to our Christian life and spiritual growth.