Global MC—Pearl Six

Upgrading Relational Resiliency

Painting of Francis of Assisi

(The account of his story about true joy is included in chapter six.)

We are exploring member care by using brief quotes from the book, Global Member Care: The Pearls and Perils of Good Practice (published February 2011). Drawing on the metaphor from Rev. 21:21, each quote is like a huge pearl--a pearl gateway--that allows us to enter more fully into the global field of member care. This sixth entry is from Part Two in the book, “Promoting Health in Mission/Aid.” https://sites.google.com/site/globalmca/

Pearl Six

“Over the years I have acquired an immense appreciation for church history, the humanities, and the wealth of instructive materials that have been written over the centuries. One example is Sirach, circa 190 BC, whose fifty chapters in the book of Ecclesiasticus make up a significant portion of the wisdom literature in the Septuagint version of the Scriptures. Chapter 6 on friendship and trust is especially relevant...” (page 102)

"Let your acquaintances be many, but for advisers choose one out of a thousand. If you want to make a friend, take him on trial, and do not be in a hurry to trust him; for one kind of friend is so only when it suits him but will not stand by you in your day of trouble. Another kind of friend will fall out with you and to your dismay make your quarrel public, and a third kind of friend will share your table, but not stand by you in your day of trouble: when you are doing well he will be your second self, ordering your servants about; but, if disaster befalls you, he will recoil from you and keep out of your way. Keep well clear of your enemies, and be wary of your friends. A loyal friend is a powerful defense: whoever finds one has indeed found a treasure. A loyal friend is something beyond price, there is no measuring his worth. A loyal friend is the elixir of life, and those who fear the Lord will find one. Whoever fears the Lord makes true friends, for as a person is, so is his friend too" (Ecclesiasticus 6:6-17, New Jerusalem Bible, Reprinted with permission of Catholic Online http://www.catholic.org/). (page 102)

Reflection and Discussion

**Recall one aspect of your life/work that relates to the quote above.

**Have a go at connecting the above quote with a current international area that interests/concerns you.