At a certain point in the Gospel, Jesus reproaches the men of his time for not being able to read the signs of God’s presence in history in the natural world. (Lk 12, 54-59) Vatican II in the Pastoral Constitution about the Church in the contemporary world also speaks of the signs of the times and the need to read history ‘theologically.’ (Gaudium et Spes, 4) God does not speak to everyone directly, but through the events both of history and of each person’s life. He does not necessarily speak through the great events that are extraordinary in their occurrence and consequences, but above all through the small things that make up everyone’s daily life.
At the recent International College of the Teams of Our Lady at Medway, near Boston in the United States, the inspirational text of Jesus’ visit to Martha and Mary (Lk 10, 38-42) was examined in depth. The sisters welcomed the Lord, with Martha looking after the house, while Mary, seated at Jesus’ feet, listened to the Word of Jesus. During the visit, Martha came to ask Jesus to tell her sister to help her. Jesus’ reply was, as always, surprising:
Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her.
What is the better thing that Mary chose and that will not be taken away from her? The fact of being seated at Jesus’ feet and listening to his Word. The two sisters represent all of us and they are an image of the Church. The Church today which is in the midst of so many ordeals and each one of us, individually or as couples, must deal with a large number of tasks and many problems. Couples and families ought to be places where the Lord is welcomed, where his Word is listened to, where secondary things are not a priority and even if they are dealt with, they ought not to get in the way of what is essential.
Pope Francis has convened the bishops for a special synod to discuss the family today. It is a challenge to read the signs of the times where couples and families in the Church and in the world are concerned. There are many negative signs that impact the dignity of couples and the family, signs that are contrary to the ‘principle’ and to ‘the mind of God’ about couples and the family. It is important for each of us, as couples, as a family to listen to the Gospel of the family, just like Mary did, seated at Jesus’ feet.
Dear Couples, do not be afraid to be in sync with the Church’s feelings in these complex and troubled times that we live in, where we really need, like Mary, to hear the Word of the Lord and where we need to be ready to work for the cause of couples and Christian families in the world, who are an essential part of the Church and society. Be courageously faithful to the philosophy of our Movement, a gift and a charism that the Lord gave to the Church and which is so necessary today just like it was back then at its origins. Let us seek together, just like then, ways to be faithful to the Gospel and to the Church, so that everyone, Spiritual Counselors and couples, can walk and advance towards holiness, because it is in this way that the ‘only thing’, ‘what is better’ will never be taken from us.
P. José Jacinto Ferreira de Farias, scj
Conseiller Spirituel de l’Equipe Responsable Internationale
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Lucilene Ferri PEREIRA & Nelson PEREIRA FILHO
O serviço é...Para nós o serviço é uma oportunidade de estarmos mais próximos de Deus e dos irmãos. Sempre temos connosco esse pensamento que servir a Deus através do movimento das ENS nos torna melhores como pessoa e como casal.
El servicio es...Responder afirmativamente a una llamada del Señor que nos invita a seguirle y a dar testimonio de su Amor en el Mundo, anunciando que desde la vocación de matrimonio es posible ser santos y que la santidad tiene un premio seguro que es la felicidad que produce estar cerca del Señor.
Le service est..."Avec l’aide de l’Esprit Saint nous mettons nos compétences, notre énergie et notre temps au service des couples pour les aider à grandir dans le sacrement de mariage et à rayonner autour d’eux."
Le service est... Un service exigeant qui nous apprend à mieux nous connaître, à nous ajuster l'un à l'autre, à faire preuve d'humilité. Il nous fait rencontrer de belles personnes et nous rapproche du Seigneur sans qui rien n'est possible.
El servicio es... Es una oportunidad que nos da el Señor, para amar más, sirviendo como instrumentos de su amor y misericordia en el crecimiento y animación espiritual de los matrimonios encomendados a nosotros. Es una ocasión para enriquecernos y crear vínculos fraternos con matrimonios y sacerdotes en el mundo.
El servicio es... El servicio lo vivimos en pareja con oración y diálogo a la luz del Espíritu Santo, pidiendo servir con humildad y con un corazón compasivo y misericordioso.
El servicio es... El servicio que prestamos como Hogar Responsable de la Súper Región Colombia es una oportunidad para servir a Dios en nuestros hermanos equipistas y avanzar en el camino hacia la santidad.
"The service means we are responsible to run and expand the Team movement in unrepresented areas in our region. But at the current pandemic situation, it is difficult, but we will do our best when possible. Let us pray to Our Holy Mary, this critical situation may change at the earliest to do better things."
The service is... We believe END is a gift to couples to develop their spiritual relationship with each other and their community. We are committed to supporting all couples in our Super-Region - Regional Couples, Sector Couples, Responsible Couples - all members of Teams - to enrich their individual Team life and to lead to the expansion of teams.
Służba jest.... Jesteśmy bardzo wdzięczni za charyzmat Ruchu, za wszystkie małżeństwa, które spotkaliśmy w tym czasie, za wymagania jakie stawia nam Ruch. Jesteśmy bardzo wdzięczni Panu Bogu za wszystkie zmiany jakie nastąpiły w naszym życiu. Bez łaski Bożej to nie byłoby możliwe.
The service is..."In each role, we have seen God’s hand at work. We discovered when we say yes and give our small part, God’s gifts overflow in return. Like the wedding at Cana, he takes our ordinary water and turns it into fantastic quantities of the best wine that we are meant to enjoy and share."
O serviço é... Servir em casal, para nós, é convocar o Espírito Santo como terceiro interlocutor nas discussões sobre os assuntos e nas tomadas de decisão posteriores.
The service is... “The service Is for us to facilitate wider understanding of conjugal spirituality through the Teams method, so that couples grow to know themselves better, know their spouses better and know God better; so, as St Paul requests, to be happy always.”
Der Service ist...Wir haben die END als wunderbares und gesegnetes Geschenk empfangen , das wir mit so vielen Paaren wie möglich teilen wollen. Starke Equipes können einer der Eckpfeiler der Kirche in unserer Zeit sein.
El servicio es... El servicio lo estamos viviendo como una bendición para poder sentir el amor de Cristo a traves de mi pareja y ser testimonio para el mundo. Ademas nos sentimos dichosos de poder vivir una amistad fraterna con tantas parejas y Consiliarios en todo el mundo.