A Light That Guides: Final Days of the Chapter in Krakow

The Final Stretch

I asked one of the brothers in the hallway if, since the chapter was coming to an end, they were slowing down, taking a break. He just smiled broadly and raised his coffee cup, as if to toast.

If you look at the schedule for the day, it seems to be only getting busier—and the celebration of the Transfiguration does not change that. On the contrary, in addition to the classic schedule, which is already densely packed, there is also a solemn vespers service with the Archbishop of Krakow.
Nevertheless, the chapter is indeed coming to an end. Thursday will be the last classic day of deliberations and meetings.

Listening to the Voice

On this final stretch, the preacher, brother Yinmy Caballero Suares, spoke with great commitment about Peter, commenting on today’s Word:

“He would like to stay there, in contemplation, in the light, in security. But the cloud envelops them, and from it the Father’s voice is heard: “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to Him.” This command is the heart of the Transfiguration. It is not enough to see Jesus in glory; we must listen to Him, follow Him, obey Him.”

The Chapter, as I have written before, is there to listen to one another—and thus to hear the voice of God speaking through each of us.

“Amid so many voices calling us, our mission is to listen to the voice of the Lord, who speaks to us in his Word, in prayer, in the liturgy and beyond it, in the community, in fraternity, in chapters, in study, in obedience, in brothers and sisters, in families, in young people, in those who do not know God, in those who distance themselves from God. Listening to Jesus means accepting His message of love, forgiveness, sacrifice, and hope. We are called to listen to Jesus, to allow ourselves to be transformed by his love, and to be bearers of hope in a world in need of light. Called to be light, called to be a light that illuminates, not a light that dazzles. A light that teaches, that guides, that speaks the truth in charity, so that our life and our conduct may be light.”

Transformed and Sent

The Chapter is also there—as the preacher reminded us—to allow ourselves to be transformed and sent forth.

“The preacher, like the three disciples, must ascend the mountain of prayer, contemplate the face of Christ, listen to His voice, and then descend with fire in His heart to proclaim Him to the world. We do not preach ideas, but the beloved Son. We do not seek to convince, but to ignite. We’re not content with shaping minds, but with transforming lives.

May this solemnity renew our desire to be transfigured by its light, so that we too, like Peter, John, and James, may say: ‘How good it is to be here,’ without forgetting that true glory is achieved by coming down from the mountain and walking with Jesus toward Jerusalem.”

It is good to be here and listen together, but we must not forget that we must come down from this mountain and go where we are constantly sent. Perhaps this is what the brother I passed in the hallway meant. Perhaps he understood that the end of the chapter is only the beginning of the journey.

A Word of Gratitude

As a chronicler, after these solemn words about the mission, I would like to add a word of gratitude.
Today, during lunch, which—in accordance with Wednesday tradition—was another opportunity to sample Polish cuisine, the brothers gave a thunderous round of applause to thank the entire kitchen staff, who bravely and generously fed those gathered at the chapter.
It will be all the more difficult to leave Krakow, because there was much to be thankful for—the food here is excellent.