Sarabaites, Landlopers and Gyrovagues

 This evening for our reading we were reflecting on an article by Mahimai Dass on sheep becoming shepherds, in the context of the Salesian history.  Boys who grew up at the Oratory of Don Bosco went on to become the cornerstones of the Salesian congregation.  It did not happen by chance.  This was something Don Bosco made happen.  Rather than look for people from outside to assist his work, he built up his followers from within his boys.  But interestingly Don Bosco was very VERY clear about the purpose of the congregation: NOT to carry further his works, but the salvation of one's own soul!! 

Don Bosco was very clever and astute. He was well aware and deeply conscious that he did not initiate his activities in response to a need, but to a call!  He was only responding to a divine invitation directed towards the poor young.  Without that divine dimension, he would have done some good, but not the great wonders he achieved - some of which still continue to unfold!  

However, what struck me most was the concluding part of the article: Some Salesians have nothing of the Salesian spirit!!! The whole point of being eager to ensure that our names are recorded not just in the Province directory, not even in the necrology, but in heaven!!  In this context and in the light of some confreres getting on my nerves in the last couple of days (purely because of their lethargy and absolute laziness - and 'acting' sick), I couldn't agree more with that statement of some Salesians have absolutely no Salesian spirit.  Leave alone Salesian spirit, they have neither the religious spirit nor do they make the least effort at acquiring the human spirit!  

Interestingly St Benedict too was plagued by some such characters, whom he called Sarabaites and Landlopers and Gyrovagues. The Sarabaites were those monks who followed no Rule.  They lived in their own world, and believed that what they lived by as the values. The gratification of their desires was law unto them.  Whatever they chose, they called holy. The Gyrovagues were the wanderers.  Never settling down. Always on the move.  Whom Fr Albert Johnson, during his recent retreat talk, referred to as 'mayors' (a spin off on the Tamil word for 'grazers'). Never for any in depth or substantial effort.  Merely skimming the surface.