To love, to serve, to forgive

When we were putting together the founding documents for the Lindisfarne Community (this would be in the 90s), we wanted a little motto that would summarize what we are about—a short mnemonic phrase, something easily memorable. It needed to catch the flavor of what we hoped to be and become as a community.

We came up with:

To love, to serve, to forgive

Recently I have been pondering our motto. I was wondering whether the motto was still adequate, whether it "worked" for us, whether we have outgrown it, whether it needs to be changed—that sort of thing.

I was as pleased with it now as when we came up with it! There is a certain order, meaning and movement in the phrase. It repays careful thought and contemplation. Love is at the center of what we are seeking to be—to move away from preoccupation with the self to focus on the the Other, to seek her best, to care for him. The movement of love is in service of the Other. I am glad that as the community has developed over the last decade, so has a spirit of service. At our annual retreat it was so good to hear of the many and excellent ways members of Lindisfarne serve others. Love and service are noble aspirations. Yet, we know that the human condition is very mixed! We often get things wrong, mixed up. Hurts and misunderstandings occur. There is a great need to forgive, to let go, to prevent bitterness, to heal, to move on without resentment. Forgiveness is essential for those who love and serve to prevent burnout.

To love, to serve, to forgive. Not a bad motto for life, I think.

+Ab. Andy