Relazioni martedì 23 novembre bis

Introduction

The presentation of Sr. Dolores Aleixandre gives a sound basis for deeper reflection on the passionate search for wholeness that inevitably spurs active involvement towards others with love and compassion. Both the Samaritan Woman (Jn 4:1-42) and the Samaritan man (Lk 10: 25-37) are icons of passion and compassion for human beings. They are like a single icon where we see reflected our call and mission as consecrated women and men of the 21st century. We are challenged to constantly seek Jesus Christ in prayer and contemplation that overflows to our wounded brothers and sisters in the roads of our human encounters.

Dolores has in a powerful way unfolded the underpinnings of the call to be a follower of Christ who invites us to an intimate love relationship. The spiritual journey is initiated by God whose action of grace continues to form us – hence

– God’s initiative and guidance as the spirit continues to work to bring about transformation

– our response in faith, commitment and perseverance

Reflecting on the insights of Sr. Dolores three movements seem to emerge

From – a way of life that seems to be calling for newness

Through – moments of struggle, anxiety, confusion, pain

To – a new creation in relating to God and embracing new ministries

This implies conversion and transformation

Part 1:
A call to growth in Faith

Religious life rooted in the person of Jesus Christ is a life of faith. This life of faith means an attachment to the person of Jesus whom we know loves us passionately and desires that we “may have life, and have it to the full” (Jn 10:10).

To believe in Jesus is to identify oneself with Christ’s love for all humanity. Thus we are able to identify that “there is neither Jew, Greek or gentile for all are one in Christ (Gal 3:27; Eph 3:6) there is need to contemplate Christ in order to know him, to learn his dispositions of heart and mind.

Thus to proclaim Christ as the Messiah is to take responsibility to love God and the neighbour. According to Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “neighborliness is not a quality in other people, it is simply their claim on ourselves. We have no time to sit down and ask ourselves whether so and so is our neighbour or not. We must get into action and obey. We must behave like a neighbour to him.” (D. Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship, London, 1978, pp. 67-68).

There is need to contemplate Jesus in order to know him, his dispositions of heart and mind. Contemplative prayer involves a constant seeking of God and a deepened awareness of our lives. By contemplating Jesus in the Gospel, we find the source and origin of our consecrated life. We need to know our identity.

The search for God is an ongoing process of conversion and radical transformation. It means thinking, feeling, and living as Christ. “It is no longer I but Christ who lives in me. “ The Samaritan woman through her encounter with Jesus was transformed into a witness and a proclaimer (cf. Jn 4:4-42). She had experienced a “new Creation.” By encountering the grace of God her human limitations and sinfulness were transformed to be instruments of God’s reign.

“The lord’s creative action in people” (VC 14) creates an inner freedom that allows Jesus to become and remain the central reality in one’ life. This freedom allows the person to respond generously to Jesus’ invitation to “do likewise” (LK 10: 25-37).

Part 2:

Mission
Those who have come into genuine contact with Christ cannot keep him to themselves. They must proclaim him (NMI 40 [37]) since that which we have seen and heard we proclaim (1JN 1:3). “To proclaim Jesus Christ is to introduce men and women into the mystery of the love of God, who invites them to enter into a personal intimate relationship with himself in Christ” (RM 44). The Samaritan woman in her encounter with Jesus transformed her to go a proclaim the good News she had experienced. She goes out to share with others the blessings of her encounter with Jesus. She becomes a witness and a proclaimer (Jn 4:4-42).

Mission is the work of the Holy Spirit who moves us to reach out to others in love and compassion. Since Jesus is the embodiment of God’s word, his spirit should become the principal norm of our life choices. We are challenged to be men and women of the spirit, a people committed to serve humanity.

The story of the Good Samaritan (Lk 210:25-37) emphasizes that mission is to all people and nations. It is to the whole of humanity. We are called to be sensitive to the needs of others to open our eyes and hearts to recognize the sufferings of those wounded, robbed of their dignity and are lying by the roadside.

In Africa where the economic and socio-political situation has changed rapidly, creating a new social reality of the poor and the afflicted and with the HIV/AIDS patients, the religious are being challenged to move out into creative pastoral approaches in reaching out and being a “neighbour.”

We are to read the signs of the time (DS 4) and be involved in rather than have a “couldn’t-care- less” attitude portrayed by the priest or levite (Lk 10). The 21st century religious has to be involved or simply cease to exist.

With the widening gap between the rich and the poor, increased violence, and the vulnerability of women and children. Religious women too are not spared of this.

What are the implications of these realities? We are challenged to embrace new ministries with no preparation.

These are the challenges to be faced in discerning the possible roads.

– Justice issues relating to respect for the dignity of the person

– Understanding the specific charism of the congregation to avoid being just another “charitable” organization

– Identifying with the poor, marginalized, afflicted and the wounded.

– Being signs of hope in reconciliation

– Flexibility and openness to teamwork and collaborative ministry since “the unity of the brethren is a source of great apostolic power” (PC 15).

This is a challenge. This is what Sr. Dolores ahs challenged us to. Are we ready to take these roads?



	LA RELAZIONE DI SR. GACAMBI E' IN INGLESE Reaction to: Seekers of Wells and Roads: Two Icons for Consecrated Life by Sr. Dolores Aleixandre, RSCJ Sr. Marie Therese Gacambi, ASN Introduction The presentation of Sr. Dolores Aleixandre gives a sound basis for deeper reflection on the passionate search for wholeness that inevitably spurs active involvement towards others with love and compassion. Both the Samaritan Woman (Jn 4:1-42) and the Samaritan man (Lk 10: 25-37) are icons of passion and compassion for human beings. They are like a single icon where we see reflected our call and mission as consecrated women and men of the 21st century. We are challenged to constantly seek Jesus Christ in prayer and contemplation that overflows to our wounded brothers and sisters in the roads of our human encounters. Dolores has in a powerful way unfolded the underpinnings of the call to be a follower of Christ who invites us to an intimate love relationship. The spiritual journey is initiated by God whose action of grace continues to form us – hence – God’s initiative and guidance as the spirit continues to work to bring about transformation – our response in faith, commitment and perseverance Reflecting on the insights of Sr. Dolores three movements seem to emerge From – a way of life that seems to be calling for newness Through – moments of struggle, anxiety, confusion, pain To – a new creation in relating to God and embracing new ministries This implies conversion and transformation Part 1: A call to growth in Faith Religious life rooted in the person of Jesus Christ is a life of faith. This life of faith means an attachment to the person of Jesus whom we know loves us passionately and desires that we “may have life, and have it to the full” (Jn 10:10). To believe in Jesus is to identify oneself with Christ’s love for all humanity. Thus we are able to identify that “there is neither Jew, Greek or gentile for all are one in Christ (Gal 3:27; Eph 3:6) there is need to contemplate Christ in order to know him, to learn his dispositions of heart and mind. Thus to proclaim Christ as the Messiah is to take responsibility to love God and the neighbour. According to Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “neighborliness is not a quality in other people, it is simply their claim on ourselves. We have no time to sit down and ask ourselves whether so and so is our neighbour or not. We must get into action and obey. We must behave like a neighbour to him.” (D. Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship, London, 1978, pp. 67-68). There is need to contemplate Jesus in order to know him, his dispositions of heart and mind. Contemplative prayer involves a constant seeking of God and a deepened awareness of our lives. By contemplating Jesus in the Gospel, we find the source and origin of our consecrated life. We need to know our identity. The search for God is an ongoing process of conversion and radical transformation. It means thinking, feeling, and living as Christ. “It is no longer I but Christ who lives in me. “ The Samaritan woman through her encounter with Jesus was transformed into a witness and a proclaimer (cf. Jn 4:4-42). She had experienced a “new Creation.” By encountering the grace of God her human limitations and sinfulness were transformed to be instruments of God’s reign. “The lord’s creative action in people” (VC 14) creates an inner freedom that allows Jesus to become and remain the central reality in one’ life. This freedom allows the person to respond generously to Jesus’ invitation to “do likewise” (LK 10: 25-37). Part 2: Mission Those who have come into genuine contact with Christ cannot keep him to themselves. They must proclaim him (NMI 40 [37]) since that which we have seen and heard we proclaim (1JN 1:3). “To proclaim Jesus Christ is to introduce men and women into the mystery of the love of God, who invites them to enter into a personal intimate relationship with himself in Christ” (RM 44). The Samaritan woman in her encounter with Jesus transformed her to go a proclaim the good News she had experienced. She goes out to share with others the blessings of her encounter with Jesus. She becomes a witness and a proclaimer (Jn 4:4-42). Mission is the work of the Holy Spirit who moves us to reach out to others in love and compassion. Since Jesus is the embodiment of God’s word, his spirit should become the principal norm of our life choices. We are challenged to be men and women of the spirit, a people committed to serve humanity. The story of the Good Samaritan (Lk 210:25-37) emphasizes that mission is to all people and nations. It is to the whole of humanity. We are called to be sensitive to the needs of others to open our eyes and hearts to recognize the sufferings of those wounded, robbed of their dignity and are lying by the roadside. In Africa where the economic and socio-political situation has changed rapidly, creating a new social reality of the poor and the afflicted and with the HIV/AIDS patients, the religious are being challenged to move out into creative pastoral approaches in reaching out and being a “neighbour.” We are to read the signs of the time (DS 4) and be involved in rather than have a “couldn’t-care- less” attitude portrayed by the priest or levite (Lk 10). The 21st century religious has to be involved or simply cease to exist. With the widening gap between the rich and the poor, increased violence, and the vulnerability of women and children. Religious women too are not spared of this. What are the implications of these realities? We are challenged to embrace new ministries with no preparation. These are the challenges to be faced in discerning the possible roads. – Justice issues relating to respect for the dignity of the person – Understanding the specific charism of the congregation to avoid being just another “charitable” organization – Identifying with the poor, marginalized, afflicted and the wounded. – Being signs of hope in reconciliation – Flexibility and openness to teamwork and collaborative ministry since “the unity of the brethren is a source of great apostolic power” (PC 15). This is a challenge. This is what Sr. Dolores ahs challenged us to. Are we ready to take these roads?