LIFE IN RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES – 18
Fr. Paul Raj Amal SDB

Fr. Juan had a weakness for spirits. His struggle
with this habit was a constant battle, often finding
excuses to take a sip. However, during Lent, he
made a firm decision to give it up entirely and was
determined to follow through.
However, the week following Easter, the Rector
found Fr. Juan high in spirits and confronted him.
"Fr. Juan, it looks like you've fallen back into your
old habit! You solemnly declared that you would give
up alcohol forever, didn't you?"
Fr. Juan replied, "Yes, Father. I never thought I'd
manage forty days without a single sip. But I did. I
never touched a drop! I even surprised myself. And
at the end of those forty days, to celebrate my victory
over alcohol, I took a sip… and then, well, I started
all over again. I guess I'll have to wait until the next
Lent!"

Every person has strengths and weaknesses; the
latter, in particular, is a hidden and uncharted territory
for most because we fear facing it and would rather
deny its existence. Anyone reading the classic work
of St. Augustine, 'Confessions' will undoubtedly
be moved by the authenticity with which the
great philosopher-theologian acknowledged his
vulnerability. Augustine's Confessions is a testament
to the fact that sanctity does not lie in perfection alone
but in the sincere pursuit of God's grace in human
weakness. It is noteworthy that this extraordinary
autobiography, instead of glorifying the self, accepts
its most vulnerable side and discloses it to the world.
Thus, it is not only a tribute to the conversion of an
individual but also an invitation to communion with
other individuals who fail....

...Strength is not the absence of weakness but the
ability to acknowledge one's limitations and grow
through them. Moreover, God works powerfully
through human weakness, as seen in St. Paul's words,
"For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Cor 12:10).
In this regard, a religious community should become
a safe and authentic place of acceptance, forgiveness,
and sharing. A place where, through open and honest
dialogue, every member contributes to minimizing
appearances and facades. This is made possible by
an authentic and integral life of one another who
acknowledges their own vulnerabilities, making
it easier for others to do the same. It is this mutual
support and understanding that makes a religious
community a powerful catalyst for personal growth
and spiritual development.