Oblates as “Monasticism’s Gift to the World”

(edited from a reflection by Fr. Bede Classick, O.S.B., Director of Oblates
at St. Paul’s Abbey, Newton, New Jersey)

(paraphrased by Phil Plunk, changing oblate to volunteer.)

Volunteers are [God’s] gift to the world. I hope that through this statement all Volunteers will come to appreciate who they are. The Volunteers are indeed a gift and have much to give to the world, a world which is seeking and searching for its ultimate salvation. The Volunteer stands between monasticism and the world as a mediator, linking the two, drawing them together, bringing to the world the values which monasticism holds up as important for the Christian way of life.

Monasticism has done much throughout history to shape life in the world; but monasticism has not influenced the world simply on its own. It has been able to shape Christian life in the world in its day-to-day activities only because those who live in the world have sought to carry out its program of spiritual growth and commitment to Christ.

Volunteers especially have understood the close relationship between monastic life as envisioned by St. Benedict and the ordinary Christian life in the world. Affiliating themselves with monastery and convent, they provide a vital link with the world as they reach out to bring hope and inspiration to those struggling to find Christ in the midst of a sinful world.

It is through the Volunteers that monasticism opens its heart to the world; and the gift that monasticism offers through Volunteers is hospitality, a “cosmic hospitality,” a reaching out to embrace the whole universe. It is only in this way that the brokenness of our human lives and of our world can be healed. Volunteers will reach out into all areas of life to bring forgiveness and healing, peace and consolation, springing from their affiliation with [God]. As Volunteers listen to those in need in order to help them, they will realize that peace and justice are not just causes for which we wave banners, but forms of Gospel proclamation. Such is the work of redemption. Hospitality finds its meaning in the Cross. In stretching out His arms on the Cross, Christ opened Himself to the world. He excluded no one, but forgave even His enemies. He embraced all so as to redeem all.

The Volunteer of today must be ready to walk in the steps of Jesus Christ. The Volunteer must be ready to embrace the world in order to forgive and heal and reconcile. Such a welcoming gesture will give others the courage to turn to Christ. Through the hospitality of the Volunteer, the monastic values of prayer, humility, obedience, peace, patience, charity, and reverence will be brought to bear on the world and guide it in the way of salvation

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