These two terms call to mind two very different – but at the same time close/related realities. In these pandemic times the two terms acquire a lot of relevance because of all the restrictions, danger and negative feelings that can be produced by the spreading of Covid19 in our times. Is it possible to sustain a graced, peaceful and happy life in the midst of this threatening reality? Can we, like the martyrs, smile and face death with joy and peace? If so, then, what a faithful way of life produces when we try to be ourselves, in the daring circumstances we face, and harvest something good and relevant that gives sense to our lives and is pleasing to God?
Resilience is something we bring with ourselves since we are born. We hold to life instinctively and without training we suck the breast to feed us and we cry when something goes wrong with our lives. That reality can be systematized and understood and even deepened in order to fulfill our lives. From the point of view of faith, this is the faithful “staying at the cell” without changing direction and doing what we believe is the plan of God and because of that we try to be ourselves according to our call. Faithful people, who have experienced trial and suffering, can inspire and teach us the way to go on and to do our best in order to fulfill that divine plan. It is a gift but also a task to be developed because each one of our lives is an unchartered path that only we know when we walk on it and discover the amazing way of being that which God thought of us when we were created. According to the saints, it can be described as the way of the cross which leads to new life.
Generativity, on the other hand, is the fruit of that faithfulness, the joy, hope and sense of realization we can experience when we keep the faith, live according to it and in the midst of unfavorable conditions, realize what ought to be realized. It is beautiful, energizing and inspiring because of the sense of fulfillment one can experience by living in God, all the way in faith and loving. It produces peace and joy. I guess such a reality is very similar to the resurrection because with new zeal, inspiration and all the good things we experience, we get to know that God is faithful and His promises become a reality day after day in our daily struggle. It produces new vocations, affects positively all the Church and the whole world because, beyond our reach and understanding, we contribute with our self giving to make this world better or in theological terms, being united to the Paschal mystery of Christ. How it happens? Hard to say or to measure, but our hearts are like those of the disciples of Emaus, burning and full of joy, going back to the community and telling them that Jesus is alive. That is to give life: the missionary witnessing that a power bigger than us guides our lives and fulfills day after day a divine plan for mine, the community’s, the Congregation’s and the world’s plan.
It is good to experience the grace of Christ and his Spirit in whatever situation we face. At the end we do what we are meant to, and persistently and with full dedication we realize what our holy Funder thought of us. I wish that all the Xaverians during this Jubilee year keep being faithful to that charisma and keep producing something new in the Church, in the community, in missionary animation, vocation and formation ministry and, while keeping the memory of the past, we actualize that beautiful charism here and now, wherever we are.
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