My second lesson in the Franciscan vocation came from the Central American refugees who were coming to Good Samaritan in the 1980's. Many of them had experienced horrible journeys of terror to reach San Francisco from their war-torn countries. Their hope, their generosity in poverty, and their sense of God's providence worked to heal me. So my second lesson was about mutuality of ministry. I thought I was there to minister to them , to accompany them in their suffering and struggle, but I found it was they who helped me .
Empty hands can receive as well as give.
I joined the Franciscans with a hunger to love, worship and serve God, but what I received was the gift of community, my third lesson in the Franciscan vocation. Life in community is a microcosm of life in the world and in the reign of God. The daily relating is a school for love. I remember clearly the day that I first captured a glimpse of what religious Sister Pamela Clare community meant I had been with the Franciscans only a short time and had spent part of the day observing the ministry of one of the sisters, who worked as a hospital chaplain. I was very moved by her ministry and convinced that I was totally incapable of doing such a ministry.