" Spirit of the Day "

Reflection Shirley Miller, rscj

Saturday, April 22, 2006

We began our day in prayer ­ reflecting on our tapestry ­ our cloak of many colors ­ the colors of our thoughts, dreams, hopes, fears as an AMASC body, and we listened to Jesus’ challenge in the Gospel, “Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Gospel.”

We listened reverently to the Word made Flesh in the daily lives of our AMASC countries ­ our aging population, the fight against poverty and oppression the personal and corporate commitments of each country the relationship with the Society of the Sacred Heart our need to engage younger alums, and the enthusiasm and commitment of young alums here with us

We spoke of the importance of communication and the challenges we face in a wide diversity of cultures, languages, countries, and of our need to strengthen the bonds among us ­ of tolerance and understanding.

Sister Conan, U.S. Provincial, spoke of the world context ­ the context that helps shape our agenda for the future ­ war and poverty new discoveries in science, technology, ethics and religion ] globalization ­ the closer we become as countries, the gap widens between those who have and those who have not diversity of cultures the new cosmology feminism and the place of women in church and culture environmental concerns spirituality that is at the heart of who we are and what we do

Sister Conan spoke of the Society’s world wide reflection on the Emerging Vision which is being shaped by the Millennium Development Goals. She spoke of the diminishment of the Society in some parts of the world and the resurgence of new life in other parts of the world ­ all are moments of grace.

We reflected on what response we as AMASC need to make to the cries of the world, as our meaning of network moves from noun to verb.

We moved into language groups to discuss the AMASC vision for the future and our priorities for the next four years. This conversation will be continued tomorrow at Greenwich.

And so we end our second day, having engaged in very serious conversation and communication. At one point during our discussions, a few of our countries’ flags fell over ­ a sign perhaps of how urgent it is that we work together ­ that we need all of us ­ we can’t be whole when some flags are on the floor.

Let us a take a few moments of reflection and return to our beginning this morning:

What are the colors of my thoughts as I end today? For what graces do I give thanks for today? What are our hopes as we move toward tomorrow?

“Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Gospel.”
Amen. Alleluia!

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