9. We accept one another as we are

This opinion is unanimous: community life is hard. The first book of the Bible recognizes that we are not meant to live alone; but the same book asks, "What have you done with your brother?" Alone, we can ignore our limitations and weaknesses and gratify ourselves with grand ideas and intentions. As soon as we enter into community, we realize our incapacity to love everyone without exception. We discover what is in man: light, no doubt; but also plenty of darkness.

Yet, Master Ignatius has led us, through the grievous experiences of the First Week of the Exercises, to that exclamation of very deeply felt wonder as we discover that, in spite of everything and just as we are, the Lord has preserved our life (Ex 60) so that we can accompany him on his mission. It is in this spirit that each one of us ought to accept himself from God and be who he is, so that he can be a self for the community. In its turn, the community accepts each of us as we are. This mutual acceptance keeps community life from being barren and even terrible.