God's life not our plans

In an age which has been beset by the revelations of child sexual abuse by clergy and other Church workers and the response of institutions, we can struggle to recognise how Christ may be present to us who occupy positions of leadership. We can come to a place where we are called to weigh up what we say with how we act. This is never easy because we are confronted with the two standards reflected on by St Ignatius in the spiritual exercises. One standard seeks riches, honour and pride while the other seeks poverty, misunderstanding and humility. Essentially we are called to recognise that people are called into positions of leadership to deepen our experience of how God is present in our lives. This is not an easy place on which to stand because it calls upon people to discern how God is truly present and to listen to the voice that brings life. We are called to be a people who recognise that we do not seek position, projects or plans at the expense of the how God is seeking us to be present. There is never an easy time to be a Christian but we are called to people who through our words and actions point to the person who calls us together as God's people. We are a pilgrim people called to walk together to deepen our understanding of how God walks by our side. This is not just at times when we seem to have all the answers but also at times when doubts arise in our hearts. It calls us to be a people who seek the truth together and also to live by questions which seek to probe the mystery of our lives. This is not just by asking questions in the hope of easy answers but rather a reflective stance in life which does not place us at the centre of our own salvation. This stance helps us to listen to the voice which echoes deep within us and which draws us to a place where our lives are formed in relationship with God and with each other.