pathways, March 2009
PROPHETIC IMAGINATION
Daniel O'Leary writes a reflective comment in the English weekly publication The Tablet. Earlier this year, he reminded us of the prophetic mission of every Christian. He asked the question: "Is it time to proclaim a year of prophetic imagination?" and continued: "This will take much courage and contemplation. You cannot discover and explore new lands without losing sight of the familiar shoreline for awhile."
The familiar shoreline of our global community has changed dramatically over the past months. The free market system has collapsed, unemployment across our world could climb to 30 million, the old order has failed at many levels.
A new US President speaks with vision, with a new kind of political authority, with a sense of hope, not fear, in this troubled world. Our own Australian of the Year, Mick Dodson speaks too with credibility as the Father of Reconciliation. He commands the respect of Aboriginal Australians in the ongoing quest for justice in their own land.
We women and men religious of Australia declare that we have a prophetic and contemplative vocation in our service of the church and our broader community.
This year will call on all our creative energies in our social and civic responsibilities.
Our mission is to stand with those whose suffering through poverty and alienation is acute. These difficult and challenging times call on us to respond with the same vision of a Barack Obama and a Mick Dodson in our small part of this vast global community.
The human spirit can rise to the challenge.
Our faith and trust in the energy and power of God's spirit call forth from us both a contemplative stance and a prophetic voice.
Clare Condon SGS
CRA President
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