Community Corner

In our Community Corner, church members share stories about what brought them to Saint Esprit from around the world. This month, Vestry member Makiko Ito (below left) reflects on the Gospel message of love she has discovered through serving at the church.

Living out God's call to love at the French Church of Saint Esprit

It has been six years since I first came to Saint Esprit. I was born in Japan and was not raised as a Christian, so it has been it has been a very unusual encounter on both sides.

In 1999, I first met brothers from the Taizé ecumenical community in France at a retreat weekend. This experience forever changed my Christian faith and ideas. Since then, I have been addicted to the gospel peace and joy I found in their example. So, my search for a similar experience in the New York area began. I then met Fr. Massey, and learned of the existence of Saint Esprit. At that time, I was just enthusiastic to recreate a Taizé-style prayer on weekends. I never imagined that I would join the congregation and the Episcopal church, establish an altar guild and cemetery committee, and be asked to serve on the Vestry.

I was so inspired by my experience at Taizé, that at times I imagined I might try to go and live there. But there was no chance of that happening, because Taizé is a community of monks and I am a woman. Then, in 2005, I received an email from Taizé at the time they lost their founder, Brother Roger Schütz. It contained a quote from Pope John Paul II, from his visit to Taizé in 1986. I was shocked that the Pope’s message seemed to speak so clearly to my own desires.

" Like you, pilgrims and friends of the community, the pope is only passing through. But one passes through Taizé as one passes close to a spring of water. The traveler stops, quenches his thirst and continues on his way. The brothers of the community, you know, do not want to keep you. They want, in prayer and silence, to enable you to drink the living water promised by Christ, to know his joy, to discern his presence, to respond to his call, then to set out again to witness to his love and to serve your brothers and sisters in your parishes, schools, universities, and in all your places of work.

The Church needs your enthusiasm and your generosity. You know, it can happen that your elders, after the difficult journey and the trials they have undergone, fall prey to fear or weariness. It can also happen that institutions, because of routine or the deficiencies of their members, are not sufficiently at the service of the Gospel message. Because of this, the Church needs the witness of your hope and your zeal in order to fulfill her mission better.

Do not be content to criticize passively or to wait for persons or institutions to become better. Go towards the parishes, the student organizations, the different movements and communities, and patiently bring them the force of your youth and the talents you have received. If you remain within the Church, you will of course at times be upset by divisions, internal tensions and the sorry state of its members, but you will receive from Christ, who is the Head, his Word of Truth, his own Life, and the Breath of Love that will enable you to love him faithfully and to make your life a success by risking it in a joyful gift for others.”

I also read a reflection by a Taizé brother on John 21:15-17, about how Peter was depressed after he disowned Jesus three times. When the risen Jesus meets Peter again, however, he questions him not about what he has done, but about what is deepest and truest in him, about his love. He knows that this has not disappeared within Peter, in spite of everything.

After each question, Jesus entrusts Peter with a responsibility. This weak and sinful person is loved, and called to respond. I am Peter, I think. Or everyone might be Peter.

Anyone who takes on responsibilities in the communion of the church has to discover this. To accept responsibility never means to play a role, or to show that we are strong and holy. Whoever accepts responsibility does not pretend to be better than others. The question they have to answer is not: “Are you strong, will you be capable?” but “Do you love me? Can you love?” That has been my policy when I am in the church or even at work.

If you love someone, you want to take good care of them. Love is understanding, kindness and consideration. I love Saint Esprit, its Rector and its people, so I have tried to give my best care to everyone. I am not always certain what I need to do, or how to approach people sometimes, but I am sure God will always show me a way. I am hoping to continue to serve as one of the members of the church for a long time.

Makiko Ito

Saint Esprit's weekly Taizé prayer service takes place every Thursday evening from 6:30 – 7:15 in the church, and Taizé services are held on Sunday mornings every three months. Quiet singing in many languages (including French), contemplation and prayers are facilitated by a candlelit church and a warm and friendly atmosphere.