" Spirit of the Day -- Tuesday 16 April, 2002"
Can I suggest that we begin this time as we did yesterday with
some moments of silence--- allowing ourselves to become aware
of how we are feeling.
Today has been very educative and enriching reflecting on the
phenomenon of Globalisation in the context of Human Rights.How
often have we read articles on Globalisation, we have discussed
what it really means, how we are affected by it, what is the Spirit
saying to us in this phenomenon!!!
We were introduced or reminded that there are two starkly different
tendencies, 'globalisation from above' and globalisation from
below' and we were challenged "to harness the language of
globalisation from below to restrain and humanise the forces of
globalisation from above. Shouldn't we think more about this and
see how we can respond to this strong challenge? What potential
we have here, women from 29 countries gathered here and so many
thousands behind us at home and all of us wanting to make a difference.
The biggest challenge may be how 15 harness the potential of AMASC.
Did you hear the challenge also to keep each other informed about
situations where corporations, non-governmental entities use their
power only in the pursuit of economic gain without taking into
consideration human rights? We could harness this energy and work
for justice, work that rights be respected....and this internationally,
using modern technology with which we are becoming familiar. Our
awareness has grown of being 'one world', interconnected, interdependent.
And that picks up one of the points that Frank Brennan made "There
are many possibilities born of connections and inter-connectedness.
We are often privileged to make connections which would otherwise
go unmade. These connections can effect reconciliation in ways
we would never imagine or achieve on our own."
Today we have let the world set our agenda. Today our speakers
spoke of their own varied and rich experiences and I was truck
by how each had reflected deeply on these experiences and what
we received the fruit of those reflections. How important it is
to reflect on our lives, on our experiences. Reflections is the
indispensable love for transformation. We were invited to face
up to some of the more painful realities of our world; to allow
ourselves to be touched by them, to feel in the depth of our beings
the pain and the joy of our sisters and brothers - to be there
where the heart of humanity has been pierced. It is there that
we discover the pierced heart of Jesus. The reality compels us
to contemplate our world in a and through the Heart of Christ.
I asked myself if there was one word that came to me - always
in the context of Matters of the Heart: Reconciling ourselves
with our World and that word was forgiveness.
Do your remember the message that Our Holy Father gave us for
January 1st this year? He called us to work for a culture of forgiveness
and what did he say? "
Forgiveness inhabits people's hearts before it becomes a social
reality. Only to the degree that on ethics and a culture of forgiveness
prevail can we hope for a politic of forgiveness expressed in
society's attitudes and laws so that their justice takes on a
more human character. Forgiveness is, above all, a personal choice,
a decision of the heart"
In the final paragraph the Pope repeats this phrase No peace without
justice, no justice without forgiveness _ I wish to say that to
believers is believers and non-believers. I say that I shall not
tire of repeating this _ no peace without justice, no justice
without forgiveness and we know no reconciliation without forgiveness
and this forgiveness and we know no reconciliation without forgiveness
and this forgiveness personal within our national association
and this has been put to me several time - and going wider .
We heard one story magnificently told by Pauline McLeod - story
telling is so important. We have our stories to share and as Frank
said "Telling and hearing stories is often the beginning
of true reconciliation." and Tessa told us the story of Sheila
and Anna and their babies. Towards the beginning of her exposé,
Alex shared the poignant and unforgettable story of lovely Caroline.
Who can forget her --- and she doesn't forget us, is with us as
we continue the work she took to heart. We are grateful to Alex
for her overview of the preparation for this Congress.
Can this be the seed to be planted? Yesterday we spoke of femine
energy, today Mark Raper reminded us that "women's instincts
is towards life". We are called to be givers of life and
to a life of giving. We give, protect, nourish and defend life
and we are doing this.
In the Book of Wisdom, Lord, Lover of Life. We are given a title
for our God. Remember we are reflecting on "exploration of
God". Lord, Lover of Life, what a beautiful way to address
our God
Today we were invited by Mary Brennan, rscj, to propose directional
statements, statements which will be one of the means of strengthening
the bond among the members of AMASC and harnessing the strengthening
potential of AMASC - and we are ordinary people. "The world
can be changed by ordinary people" as Mark Rapper put it:
Helder Camarra, a prophet of our time said:
"When we dream alone, it is just a dream but when we all
dream together, it is the beginning of a reality"
We began the day with the beautiful and haunting hymn " I
Arise Today" and I propose that we bring our time to a close
with another one - words of St. Theresa of Avila put to music
by John Michael Talbot. I have chosen it as it reminds us that
we are called to continue Christ's work in our world today. I
will read the words in English and then we will listen to the
song and join in if we know it.
ST.THERESA'S PRAYER.
(John Michael Talbot)
Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
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