Taize Continued from page twelve
They hold secular jobs' and
all lead lives of great simplicity. They don't even have interest bearing savings accounts in banks. Practically from its founding Taize was a place where people went to seek understanding of
life's meaning. According to my friend, in
1968 it became a gathering place for many youths involved in the extensive student demonstra tions that shook Paris that year. That was when it came to be re
garded among youth as a "safe place to talk." The monks were
willing to listen in a non-judg . mental way. Indeed, many young people found . that their ideals were shared by the monks, who be lieve that all persons, regardless· of race status, are children of the same Father. Today, Taize is best known as a place where thousands upon thousands of young people ~ave converged. Each year, particularly at Easter, youth travel to Taize. Last spring, more than 8,000 peo
ple attended the Good Friday services under colorful tents
erected by the monks.
It was this tremendous draw
ing power of Taize that captured
my friend's curiosity. Once there, he found that there are no tricks, no spectacular displays.
Instead, he found Taize to be a profound experience of the ability to direct peoples' imagina tions to the possibli1ities for bringing about the kingdom of
God; My friend and his family dis covered people go to Taize for various reasons: --out of concern for Christian unity and for h\ternational social justice; -to talk with the monks and to be counseled by them; -to participate .in the dis cussion groups that meet at these times on the Taize hi1lsides; -to pray. What counts for the monks, however, is not that large num bers of people come, but rather that they pray and work for unity; listen to others with care and sensitivity and make the good of the human family a priority. That is the simple message of Taize, a message that has touch ed an astonishing number of young people.
Proclaimer Continued from page twelve ment has nothing to do with who he really is. Even the disciples have caught ·the fever. . The disciples track Jesus down and as the Greek suggests, urge him' to take advantage of his growing popularity. But Jesus is not out to win a popularity con test. He has come to proclaim the reign of God. So his answer is: "Let us move on to the neighboring villages so that I may proclaim the good news there also. This is what I have come to do." He (fontinued in that way throughout Galilee.
For children Continued from page twelve
people. John wondered if his cousin Jesus were that one. "There's Jesus!" Shiman shout ed. John's two friends hurried to. him. '''We are 'the disciples of John," they said. "John sent us to ask you if you are 'he who is to come' or do we look for someone else?" Jesus smiled. He wanted to give his cousin an answer that would really make him think. "Go and report to John what you have seen and heard," Jesus
told John's friends. "The blind recover their sight. Cripples walk. Lepers are cured. The deaf hear. Dead men rise to life. T~e poor have the good news preach ed to them." Jesus paused, then added a r personal challenge to John not to doubt or lose his faith. Bless ed is the man who does not find me a stumbling block." Shimon and Aaron looked puz zled but thanked Jesus and walk ed quickly back up the road to ward die prison. "Jesus certainly has helped the blind see and the deaf hear," said Aaron. "Some of the peo
ple he's cured were right there, in the crowd. But what does that
have to do with John's ques
tion?"
The two walked deep in
thought. Suddenly Shimon stop ped. "I think I've got it. Remem ber the· words of Isaiah? Isaiah
said that when God came to free us there would be certain signs." "I think I remember the pass age exactly," Aaron said: "Then will the eyes of the blind be open
ed. The ears of the deaf will be BROTHER ROGER conducts .Taize pray~r. service. cleared. Then 'the lame will leap
(NC/CIRIC Photo)' like a stag. Then the tongue of.
the dumb will sing." "Is it possible?" Shimon asked with wonder. "Can Jesus be the one we've been waiting for? I Continued from Page Twelve tion," Hector adds, believing wonder what John will say?" Taize community lives in "Hell's firmly· that reconciliation must Kitchen," a notorious New York come first within the Christian City slum. family. Only then will the world According to Hector, the group family be reunited. Continued from page twelve found a rundown apartment, Gradually, as others saw what and the need to serve others, with broken windows and holes was happening in the building, Brother Roger repeatedly has in the roof, where nothing work they moved into the other apart ed except the electricity. They ments, Hector relates. The lived with the poor in the far corners of the globe. moved into the virtually aban brothers met with their peigh Once he, some other monks, doned building and began, slow bors regularly. Working with a and an international team of ly, to make repairs. tenants' association, they have Hector lives with four other deaned up and renovated the young people stayed among poor people living on junks in the Taize brothers of different na building. Recently, .working South China Sea. At other times tionalities, denominations and through a city program, the 20 ages. . They are from Spain, tenants, including struggling they lived among poor in Cal Puerto Rico, Switzerland and actors and menial laborers, were cutta and in Bangladesh. What do Christian youth find Holland. Hector, at 21, is the able to buy their individual in Brother Roger? Why are young youngest, the oldest is 72. Half apartments very inexpensively. people drawn by Pope John Paul are Protestant and half are Cath The brothers live on what they II? olic. All continue to participate earn. On~ a talented artist, sells The answers may not be fuIly in their own churches. . his work. Hector works parttime clear. What is clear is that they The aim of the 'community, with older adults and he studies are individuals of overwhelming Hector explains, is to be "a faith at Fordham University. Christian belief, deeply com ful presence of prayer living in Eventually Hector hopes to mitted to the world's poor and the midst of the poorest of the take the Taize vows of celibacy, poor. We are a group of fragile communal living and obedience. doing somet~ing about it. men with a dream of living to He has decided to do this, he Two Wings gether. We know we are weak says, because the brothers have Death and love are the two and that God has chosen us to "such a deep committment to the live· in this community." Gospel life. We live in clo.se wings that .bear us, to heaven. Reconciliation is at the heart friendship and share our lives
of Taiz~. Members "try to live with each other and with our as visible signs of reconcilia other brothers throughout the world."
What are his future plans as He Is AllI of Us "The Son of God has assumed a Thize brother? Brother Hector
every nationality and every race just laughs' and says, "I'm not
by becoming identified with each preparing for anything especi human being on earth." - Bishop ally. We don't plan for the future." -Raymundo Pena
THE ANCHOR . Thurs., April 2, 1982
13
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