Blog # 5: Economy of Communion Project

“Religious Values and Corporate Decision Making: The Economy of Communion Project” by Luigino Bruni
Actual Text 1: “The profits could be divided in three equal parts and used for direct aid for the poor, educational projects which could help further a cultural of communion, and development of the business”(649-650).

Response 1: This part of the “Fordham Journal of Corporate and Financial Law” really spoke to me. The following text says that in only a matter of 15 years, more than 700 businesses followed this type of business practice. The businesses were described as being mostly small in size, some having no more than 100 employees. This reminded me of the business practices affiliated with fair trade because they are smaller and have a purpose for selling the product. There is a deeper goal here other than to simply make money. Chiara Lubich said that after visiting Brazil her eyes opened to the different possibilities for employees and creating profit with a purpose. I hope by going to India will enlighten me into thinking outside the box when it comes to creating an effective business practice.

“The Wound and the Blessing” by Michael Brennen
Actual Text 2: “The bias for a common life cannot be love but fear… for love is preserved by the link of obligation which, owing to the bareness of men, if broken at every opportunity for their advantage; but fear preserves you by dread of punishment which never fails” (Chapter 1, pp. 4)

Response 2: This quote intrigued me greatly due to the fact that Brennen says love is almost obligatory and nearly always broken. This is a pretty dismal outlook on life to think that all men will do whatever they can to get one step ahead, even if this requires man to break love. He continues to say that fear is our primary driver because we are afraid of the outcome if we fail. We are driven by the fear of failure and don’t want to deal with the aftermath of failure. Brennen has a point in one aspect that our fears drive us but I believe love does as well. The common life should definitely include more love than fear. We cannot always expect others to break trust and therefore break love, we must find the right people to love and trust.

More blog posts in this category Common

• The Wound & the Blessing/The Economy of Communion Project Post
• The Crest- Jewel of Wisdom & Work as a Spiritual Practice Post
• "What Money Can't Buy" Blog Post
• Blog Post Ni: FTRN Booklet & Arithmetic of Passion
• Work as a Spiritual Practice (The Transformation of Work)