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Jesuit Journeys
Fall 2001
Ignatian Spirituality -
Finding paths to partner in ministry
This year the feast of the Birth of John the Baptist fell on a Sunday. As pastor of St. John's Church in Omaha, this allowed me to reflect more deeply on the life of this man whose greatness was his willingness to be replaced. Yielding his place as prophet to Jesus, John said, "He must increase. I must decrease." In saying this, John summed up his own vocation and, in some way, that of every disciple of Jesus.
This reflection vividly recalled to me the special insight and grace given to the Society of Jesus during its last (34th) General Congregation. It occurred when we were composing Decree 13, "Cooperation With the Laity in Mission" - one component of the guiding documents for Jesuit life and mission.
Arriving at a final draft was an arduous and perilous journey, one I shall not forget! As provincial at the time, I attended GC 34 and was chosen to serve on the Commission that grappled with the issue of Jesuit-lay collaboration. We were 20 Jesuits from 15 countries, each one of us in a different place regarding the role of the laity and our connection with them.
After weeks of deliberation and discussion, we came up with a draft that was totally disappointing to everyone. Frustrated, defeated, but still hopeful, we took time out (in typical Jesuit fashion) to reflect and pray. In time we emerged with a new focus. Instead of asking how Jesuits could be assisted by the laity, we asked "how can we Jesuits serve the laity in their mission?" Then the document practically wrote itself.
This approach (detailed in Decree 13) requires us, like John the Baptist, to be replaced - to relinquish our place as perceived leaders of the laity and to "be stretched in our creativity and energy to serve them in their ministry."
Were we ready for this? Are we doing it?
Perhaps the most honest answers are: "Not quite yet" and "not as well as we could." Why this doubt, this hesitation, when the call is so clearly and explicitly stated in our legislation? I would like to propose three areas of concern that might lead to some answers, beside the obvious one: the difficulty we all have of imitating John the Baptist, of relinquishing our place to others.
The first has to do with our narrow and less than inclusive use of the term "vocation." When we say, "Are you having any vocations?" or "Does he or she have a vocation?" - the tendency is to still think of the priesthood or religious life. The vocation of the laity is thus implicitly devalued.
Secondly, we are still clinging to our notion of the institutional Church as primarily hierarchical and patriarchal, rather than partaking of the new wine of communion, mutuality, and Trinitarian partnership offered by the renewal of Vatican II.
Thirdly, as a Society and a Church, we have scarcely begun to tap into or try out servant leadership, which Jesus modeled and urged, as the appropriate manner of governing in a community of disciples. "I am among you as the one who serves."(Luke 22:27b) Empowerment, rather than power trips. Giving place to others. Serving rather than being served.
Addressing these three areas of concern is essential toward understanding and overcoming obstacles to partnership in ministry. The Ignatian way is to get rid of whatever hinders apostolic service.
My collaboration with Ignatian Associates and other lay colleagues has taught me that recognition, acceptance, and affirmation are key elements in developing the capacity of lay persons to claim their vocation and experience it as distinct from career or job. An atmosphere of trust, honesty, and humility is essential. GC 34 has committed us Jesuits to provide such an environment.
What is required of the laity, I believe, is commitment to a spirituality of service, a willingness to remain at the table of dialog, and patience with the slow, steady work of the Spirit that began with the new Pentecost of Vatican II.
Above all, we must listen to each other. "Can you not hear it? Has it not been foretold? Behold, I make all things new!"
Food for thought, room for discussion.
To contact Fr. Thelen, write him at: St. John's Church
2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178-0522
Tel: 402-280-3031 / e-mail: bthelen@creighton.edu
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