Just a week ago I attended a memorial service for a dear friend. We had not been in contact for many years, but hearing of her death awakened in me our forever connection. Almost four decades ago when I was in my mid 20s Marcelline saw me with the loving eyes of Christ and encouraged my deepest heart longing.
At the time I was a young woman seeking to find her place in the world. I thought it was as an upwardly mobile advertising art director. Marcelline, a pastoral associate where I attended church, invited me into a women’s group exploring the connection between faith and justice as well as personal growth and community. I remember “coming alive” as we engaged seriously with social issues in light of God’s compassion and self-giving love. I was increasingly moved to dive deep and shift my focus from image to the heart of life.
One of the resources I was introduced to was Sojourners magazine. When I came upon the page advertising a yearlong internship year to live in intentional Christian community in Washington, DC I knew I would be making a significant career change. Most inherently, I would be making a choice not for building up me in my little world but for God and God’s whole community of creation. When I asked Marcelline if I was crazy, I can still see her beaming smile and the sparkle in her eyes. She knew I was following an inspired call.
By nature we humans have self-glorifying tendencies. Jesus’ closest disciples are suffering from that ill in the gospel reading.* Jesus gently invites them to regroup and put themselves at the service of God loving the world. I am grateful to Marcelline for igniting that passion in me.
For reflection:
- Where do you feel most alive and who or what helps you go there?
- What distracts you from the heart of life?
- How is God inviting you to love the world?
-Trish Stefanik, Overlook Retreat House at Dayspring
