When I am not writing blogs or babysitting my grand-children, I serve as an educational consultant working with educators across the state.  August has been a busy month, because lots of school districts are trying to get in some professional development for their staff members before school starts.  In my work, I talk a lot about collaboration and risk-taking as necessary catalysts for school change.

When discussing the importance of collaboration, I often use a quote by Martin Luther King, Jr.  This is a very timely quote in light of the 50^th anniversary celebration of Dr. King’s famous “I have a Dream” speech.

I tell the educators that this quote is one to reflect on as they go about their daily work with students and colleagues.  It is imperative that we work with one another, have honest conversations, and trust in each other’s ability to do what is best for our schools.

The quote is as follows:  “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.  Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.  I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be, and you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be.  This is the interrelated structure of reality.”  (MLK, Jr.)

I have thought of this quote often.  It has occurred to me that it could also be representative of the Mystical Body of Christ.  As members of Christ’s body we are all tied together through Baptism.  Our garment of destiny is our hope of Eternal Life.  As Christians, we are to live lives that affect each other; we are to live lives that reach out to others; that shine through with the radiance of Christ’s love.

How often do we think that what we do affects others?  We hope to make a difference in people’s lives, but do we honestly think of the mutuality of our existence?  Do we ponder the interconnectedness of our actions?

Further, as Christians, we need to have those honest conversations with one another.  We need to trust each other, and we need to work together to spread God’s Kingdom here on earth.  It is not an easy task.  However, with “our network of mutuality”---through the Mystical Body of Christ---all is possible with God’s grace.

By Pat Haggerty