The sofa of comfort and convenience
Last week the College celebrated Champagnat Day. This usually involves the whole school gathering to celebrate Eucharist, a good feed, competitive games and a day of fun activities. Circumstances this year witnessed a different celebration; a liturgy in small groups, the return of donuts for all, trivia, busking and giving thanks for the life of Marcellin. Champagnat Day is an opportunity to reflect on Marcellin's vision in establishing the Marist Brothers’ order in the early part of the 19th Century in France. France at that time was in the aftermath of the revolution and Catholicism was slowly reviving following a period where religious orders were closed down, properties seized and worship suppressed.
St Marcellin Champagnat
Marcellin's eagerness to establish a religious community was sparked when he was called to visit a dying 17 year old boy. The boy’s lack of any purpose in life along with his deficiency in the basic elements of faith made a deep impression on Marcellin. The young boy actually died and Marcellin’s restlessness led him to establish a teaching order of Brothers to ensure the young were provided with an education while leading them to Jesus through Mary. Presently, there are approximately 3,500 Brothers in 79 countries on five continents, working directly and sharing their mission and spirituality with more than 40,000 lay Marists. Together they educate close to 500,000 children and young people.
Marcellin was a person of restlessness who found peace in God. Pope Francis encourages us to have a healthy restlessness. He believes the greatest danger we face is the temptation to mediocrity - preferring to stay immobile, to remain indifferent and passive. He calls it the ‘sofa of comfort and convenience.’ It has been interesting to witness the worldwide demonstrations following the brutal death of George Floyd at the hands (knee) of policemen. People as advocates, challenging embedded racism, demanding change and being a person of service is what Marcellin would hope from graduates of a Marist school.
One of the many letters found in the New Testament is said to have been written by St Peter. It contains a line which has great appeal to us. Marcellin would have loved it. It is a challenge.
Each of you have been blessed with one of God’s many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gifts well.1 Peter 4:10
Marcellin understood that a Catholic education is anything but safe. It challenges us. Our boys know there is an invitation that comes from attending Marist College Canberra to use their gifts in the service of others. The nucleus of our work here at the College involves the awakening of a young man’s heart. Our role as teachers is to bring a consciousness to what is already within and waiting; drawing out rather than cramming in. We want the young men in our care to be large-hearted with their talents, their time, their treasure. I like what the Dutch-American theologian, Henri Nouwen, once warned us: ‘What you cling to ends up rotting in your hands.’ Rotting in your hands. What a waste of a gift that would be.
Embarking on ‘one wild and precious life’ is our 2020 College theme. For us it means looking for ways to be open-handed and life-giving. It requires the gift of a healthy restlessness, and ensuring our young men never conveniently remain comfortable on the sofa.