As we come to the close of another academic year, and just a few months away from the start of another, the question comes to my mind:  How do we as non-clerical and clerical people of God, understand our 3R’s; Roles, Responsibilities, and Relationships to seminary education?

What do we or can we do to influence the training to understand better the Universal Christ, Social Justice, the environment and living the Gospel?

When you look at western seminaries, they tend to be in a state of “protective gestation” for those studying. Many, not all, come out of the seminary and seem to follow a ‘linkage‘ to the upper classes versus the poor. How do we as non-clerical help seminarians take up the cross and find Christ in the world around them especially in the suffering poor?

When I talk with seminarians today, and compare it to my days in the seminary, it is a different world. (that is a post in itself). I do see today an emphasis on contemplation. We are on the contemplative path in our world today. And with all those historically who journeyed on the same road, we find the call to action.

The synoptic Gospels point out the role of Jesus on earth. He healed: Spiritually, physically, emotionally with everyone He encountered. If we call ourselves Christians, what action are we doing? I ask myself this now every day in silence, in meditation, in prayer. To be conscious of action is by far one of the hardest things to do daily. But at the end of each day, I ask myself did the world know us as Christians by our Love and did I contribute?. Love is an action word.

Are we helping seminarians understand their 3R’s; Roles, Responsibilities, and Relationships?  Healing is an act of love, an act of justice, social justice in the modern world.  

They will know we are Christians by our Love.  Love is an ACTION word.