Sent for Mission

Ruah, Ruah, Breath of God within us,
Ruah, Ruah, Spirit of our God.

 

Let yourself go,

 

was the title of a poem read at the morning reflection.

It was a statement that everything moves and renews itself – the sun, the moon and the earth, the atom, the star.

Nothing is static and whatever does not move dies,but even when it dies, everything else keeps moving.

The Spirit of God, power of love, moves....
God, the mystery that moves and impels all to love and beauty, moves...

Continuing from yesterday

The concept of ‘movement’, ‘moving’ could not have been more relevant to the work set out for the day. The main topics were the reactions to the draft document, and Leadership.
 

Reports on the Draft Document

Eleven discernment groups had thoroughly studied the document to see if it contained the elements, ideas, desires presented by the Chapter working groups and whether it responded to the urgency of the theme, ‘Sent for Mission... ‘

The arduous work of the Drafting Committee in attempting to do this was acknowledged and appreciated by all as they gave their reactions. Time was given for conversation in the hall. It was animated and fruitful as more clarification was required on some key issues.

Obvious from the interaction is the longing for a daring step going through the Chapter, a call for a change of structures, for circular and participative leadership, for a new language...

The document was sent back to the drafting committee, as usually happens with a first draft.

Style of Leadership needed at this time

To help the Capitulants in the next stage of their work Christine, at the request of the Steering Committee, gave three inputs on Leadership as a framework for their reflection. They were titled: 
 

·         The Mission of Leaders in a Global World

·         Styles of Leadership we’ve been through

·         Prophetic Leadership

Using PowerPoint Christine had some stimulating and thoughtful things to say about the how Leadership is seen and exercised today, both in religious life and the world of business. Styles can be the same but the mission is not.

The PPTs will be available for the Capitulants to have and they will see about sharing them in their Units. We’ll simply give here a few sound-bites:  

 

·         The best formation for a leader is to be a good member.

·         The leader’s authority comes from the MISSION.

·        Conscious of the constant expansion and acceleration in today’s world, we must bear in mind that whatever we decide to do today may not be relevant in another year or even a shorter passage of time.

·      The newly professed must understand what it is to be a member of the Institute rather than of a Unit.

·         Prophetic leadership is not afraid of discontinuity.

Faith and Culture

The Integration of faith and culture was another topic dealt with by Christine in the afternoon session. Just one thought from this.

Faith has to become part of culture. Faith that does not become part of culture is not fully accepted.  
 

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In the late afternoon, there was more sharing around the number of General Councillors needed. The final decision will be taken tomorrow morning.

It was a day of intense, passionate interaction as the Capitulants continued to grapple with the theme of the Chapter, knowing they have to live with questions and, like Abraham, set off into the unknown but trusting in God’s promise to be with them.

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