Dear Friends,
Whatever happened to the common good? The common good means to move beyond our
private desires and sectarian passions to embrace and act on behalf of the
well-being of all. The biblical scholar, Walter Brueggeman says “We have a
crisis about the common good because there are powerful forces at work among us
to resist the common good, to violate community solidarity, and to deny a
common destiny. Mature people, at their
best, are people who are committed to the common good that reaches beyond
private interest, transcends sectarian commitments and offers human
solidarity.”
In our fast-paced world with its demands on our time and
resources, work on behalf of the common good has been overtaken by personal
anxiety about our individual futures, by the desire for personal gain, by
concerns over scarcity, and by the fear of the unknown.
That phrase, “the common good,” has fallen out of use by
individuals and societies. It’s time to study it, relearn its potential for
good, go back to Jesus who is the first source of Christian thinking and action
on behalf of the common good.
If you’ve been concerned about this topic, in even the most vague
way, there’s good news. You are not alone. So consider this an invitation to
spend a retreat day at our Motherhouse (150 French Road) on Saturday, May 20, 9 am to 3 pm (cost $30)
probing the common good. In the morning, Rev. Myra Brown, Sister Beth LeValley
and Rev. Deborah Fae Swift will share their understanding of the common good
from a Christian perspective, in our families, our communities and our world
today and suggest what’s needed to renew the common good a personal and
collective goal.
After lunch, participants will consider how we raise our
children and grandchildren to embrace the common good, how we engage those who
are left out, how we can use our personal energies in causes and agencies to
promote the common good, and more. The take home will be a renewed sense of the
power of the community to uphold the common good as key to living together in
our crowded world. Participants may even leave with renewed energy to do the
work with others of making the common good actual in our times.
This program is a joint venture of Fresh Wind in
our Sails with Atonement Lutheran Church – another is a series of
programs commemorating the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther and
his impact on the spiritual life of believers. Call me at 585.733.2555 or
e-mail me at jsobala@ssjrochester.org for more information or to register.
Abundance is a gift of God. We have it. We will recognize it
only when we share it.
~ Sister Joan Sobala
