When he began his papacy, Pope Francis coined a phrase, “The Art of Accompaniment”. This phrase coming from a person of his position received immediate fan fare and defined his early days as Pope.
Accompaniment became one of my new favourite words because, though I has often been in positions of prestige and held titles that could set me apart, I wanted to be anything but. I wanted, and want, to experience all that life has to offer. It was my biggest challenge with priesthood, and one of the reasons I ultimately left. I came to terms with the reality that many people needed their priest to be on a pedestal, but I much rather preferred the kitchen.
It is why I love the question that is the title of this post. Rather than think of service as something one does for someone else, I prefer the question of what we are all working on together?
It is not an easy question to answer. Is it love? Meaning? Ending poverty – in its many forms? Equality? Equity? Becoming more like God? Or becoming more human? (I think the last two questions are actually the same)
Without question, it is a conversation starter, though I am not sure the question will ever find its end.