As a high school religion teacher, I used to like to ask a new class: “What would you die for?” After a few not too well thought out responses, I suggested that however we spent our day today is truly what we are dying for and not some high and mighty wish or vision that we only think about occasionally like when we’re asked the question in religion class.

I believe finding something worth dying for is a great description for the mission of the Passionists Partners today. We say it a little differently, i.e. keeping alive the memory of the Passion of Jesus. Yes, I believe Jesus died on the cross for me. He also lived 33 years walking this earth teaching, healing and causing all sorts of problems for those in charge. That’s what Jesus died for. It’s also what he lived for.

Another way of saying that is Buddhists, Yasuhiku Genku Kimura’s teaching: “Passion is not something we have, it’s who we are as a cosmic destiny” quoted in the above Ted-x Talk, Building Community that Creates Exponential Impact by Nadav Wilf .  Mr. Wilf encourages us to: “…share your passion, your vision with your friends, your social media network…you never know who may share the same passion as you and is just waiting to meet you.” What a great idea! Thanks Nadav.

I was very blessed to have two careers that I still feel passionately about, teaching and selling life insurance. That might sound like a funny combination, but they are really the same task. Your students are different. The goal is the same, finding what is worth living for, doing it and if you can, make sure that dream lives even without your being there to make it happen.

Posted by Dan O’Donnell, a layman who has covenanted with the Chicago Community. In addition to the standard covenant, Dan promises to work at connecting all partners known and unknown, to a conscious following the the way of Jesus, the way of the cross which Dan believes transforms all failure, democratizing the human journey

CPP

We are a community of laymen and laywomen who, with vowed Passionists, seek to share in the charism of St. Paul of the Cross through prayer, ongoing spiritual formation, and proclamation of the message of Christ Crucified.