Back
to the Future - Millennium Person
-- Sr.
Jane Ann Slater, CDP
A
reflection on the future of Consecrated
Life given at the Consecrated Life Day Celebration
in San Antonio, Texas February 2, 2000
What
does our world need from us now? What
do our Founders have us do?
I
think the answer is a Refounding, a return
to our roots, a taking stock, a re-immersion
in that founding reality which captivated
each of our Founders and which caught
the fancy of those first members of each
of our Congregations and imbued them with
the courage to sign up and strike out
on Mission.
Our
Founders were filled with a deep sense
of awe and wonder at God's Creation. They
saw reality with clear eyes and caring
hearts. They imagined possibilities, transformations,
relationships which those around them
could not begin to fathom. And, they were
able to articulate their dreams and visions
in words that went directly to the hearts
of their listeners.
The
pain and sadness which they experienced
on seeing the sad plight of the poor and
needy of their time were translated not
only into inspiring words, but, more importantly,
into actions on behalf of justice and
right relationships.
Our
Founders had eyes for the poor and hearts
that beat in sync with those Poor because
they beat in tune with God. Our Founders
were women and men of deep prayer and
profound thoughts and wonderfully courageous
action.
Their
relationship with God was the source of
their passion for the People of God. In
their prayer, God graced and gifted them
with special glimpses and insights into
God's Being and Identity. They stayed
in touch with that deep, abiding Presence
of God within them. And were able to experience
God and relate to God's people in a unique
and fundamental way.
They
were able to speak and write about their
experience and insights in words which
inspired and motivated those who worked
with them. They were able to pass on their
image of God to their first followers
who were so caught up in this new reality
that it became the driving force of their
lives.
Yes,
and even we today stand in awe of that
special core of our being that gift from
our Founders which we call CHARISM.
It
is unique for each of our Congregations
and yet, while it is that which distinguishes
us from one another it is, nevertheless,
that which unites us. Each of us has an
image of God which is rich beyond words.
And when put together, our Charisms help
us see the incredible magnitude of God's
goodness and beauty.
I
believe that this Moment is for us women
and men religious of the year 2000 and
beyond, a Moment to step "back into the
future" to recapture that founding spirit
which impelled our Founders and those
women and men who heard their challenge
and call and had the guts to follow them.
The
world responded those many years ago to
our Founders and their courageous followers.
The world is hungry today for that same
message. We are the messengers so we'd
better make sure that we've got the message
straight, that we're totally grounded
and passionately committed to our Founder's
spirit and to the Charism which he or
she bequeathed to us.
Can
you imagine what we'll look like if we
choose to be refounded?
- We'll
be committed to deepening our relationship
with our God in prayer.
- We'll
begin to see with our Founders' eyes
and to feel with their hearts.
- We'll
get caught up in their passion for justice.
- We'll
be courageous in our words and actions,
not letting fear or criticism or expediency
or being out of step with the status
quo or being identified with the "wrong"
people deter us.
- We'll
be persistent in our efforts to bring
about right relationships.
- We'll
be patient when the transformations
for which we are striving are slow in
coming.
- We'll
be people of deep joy because we'll
know we're being faithful to our Mission.
In
short, we'll be changed, transformed.
Probably
the biggest change will be in our attitude
- the way we approach our ministries,
our community, the people whom we meet.
Folks will begin to look at us differently
because we will be different.
Are
we willing to become these Millennium
People? I surely hope so. We have such
a wonderful treasure to share. God's People
are hungry for what we have to offer.
And, God's People deserve only the very
best.
