The commitment to be “partners with each other” is a profoundly Biblical value, and is fundamental to being Christian. Even more deeply, the drive to collaborate with others in social groups, working groups, friendships, loving partnerships and family units, reflects our basic human nature.
No matter how essential relationships are to us, however, I am constantly reminded, through the course of my own life and pastoral work, of how this commitment complicates our lives - when our partnerships are healthy, life cannot be better; but when they become damaged or sick, the impact on us is devastating.
As we explore this commitment to be “partners with each other”, and hopefully make new commitments to “life in all its fullness” (Jn 10: 10b) through our renewed resolve to live out this aspect of our mission, perhaps this story from the Aztec people of Mexico will be of encouragement?
“It is said by our Grandparents that a long time ago there was a great fire in the forests covering our Earth. People and animals started to run, to escape the fire. Brother owl was running away also when he noticed a small bird hurrying back and forth between a river and the fire.
It was Quetzal bird - running towards the river, picking up small drops of water in his beak, then returning to throw that tiny bit of water on the flame.
Owl yelled at him, ‘What are you doing, brother? Are you stupid? You are not going to achieve anything by doing this. You must run for your life!’
Quetzal bird stopped for a moment and looked at Owl, then answered, ‘I am doing the best I can with what I have’.
It is remembered by our Grandparents that a long time ago the forests covering our Earth were saved from a great fire by a small Quetzal bird, Owl, and many other animals and people who got together to put out the flames”. (Adapted from Wheatly, M. 2002. Turning to one another. p 158)
Yours
Rod
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