Summary of talk given by S. Barbara Reid, OP

 5/17/08

Contemplation and the Just Word

(Printed with permission)

Opening Prayer: Loving God, this day, may we know without doubt the power of your Spirit within us, among us and around us. May we find stillness in our busyness, and experience the power you offer us to uplift, inspire and motivate through the Word that we preach and live in our daily lives. Help us to remember that we are all called to be preachers of your Word and to take the message into boardroom and meeting places, into our own community, our parish community, family gatherings and wherever we find ourselves. May this day and every day be a Spirit-filled day for all of us. In Your Holy Name, we pray. (Brenda Walsh)

We will study the Gospel of John and explore how abiding in the Word leads to being just and right in our relationships – with God, with self, with others and all of the cosmos.

Scripture was written at a time when there was great disparity between rich and poor. Vast majority were poor, similar to the global situation today. In Genesis, the story of creation is a story of the outpouring of God, love and a celebration of God’s goodness and all created beings. John in the Gospel tells a new story of God’s presence. Preaching the Just Word empowers people to claim their goodness and be capable of good deeds. Then we can help others reclaim their goodness. We are all empowered by the love of our God.

Today, we have a different understanding of creation. It started 15 billion years ago as a great explosion of light and life. Brian Swimme and  many other cosmologists have given us new insights in the creation story. We are all connected to everything. All are born to become love in human terms. In the Hebrew story, people are living in a three tiered universe. In 1543, Copernicus stated that the sun was the center of the universe and all revolved around it. Galileo added further insights a few years later.

All this new understanding led to new understanding of God, the universe and ourselves. We are at a new moment and continue to grow in our understanding and in the meaning of justice. We are called to a new unity with God and with all of creation. We are one with the struggle of all people. It is possible to become one. We share consciousness with all of the cosmos and divine mystery  .

John’s Gospel takes us beyond the Genesis story and tells of the unleashing of forces of life and love.  God continues to give birth in our lives and time, through our words and actions. We all participate in the life of our God.

Mary is called to be the midwife of Jesus’ public mission. Midwife calls forth new life. Mary song when she visited Elizabeth, (the Magnificat),  was a revolutionary prayer, a dangerous song.  It stated God is for all people and all are equal in God’s sight. Mary nurtured the thoughts of Jesus and planted new seeds of hope. Many other women were held up as examples of birthing new life.

The Samaritan woman is one example. What is the living water Jesus promised her? Jesus said he had to pass through Samaria. His hope was to change an enemy into a friend. Samaria was part of the new Israel. The woman in the gospel story came to full faith. It was a journey for her. Jesus adapted to the hearers of his word. She became a messenger of the Good News and many believed in Jesus. They recognized the power of Jesus. This is a model for Mission. We celebrate every victory on the journey. It is a call to contemplative listening, to birthing faith and hope. We are all called to a spiritual rebirth. Can we let go of our certitudes and let God speak and act through our lives?

We too need to work at making friends out of enemies.

IF we believe, we too will have Living Water to offer people. That will lead to life without end. It begins here and now, calling us  into the mystery of life and love.

John offers us a model of mission: (20:21-23)

Called to: Share Peace.

Take away the sins of the world – become a community of pardon and reconciliation, a community of friends.

Mutual service, equality

 Be in dialogue, sharing the Word, offering reconciliation, communion, presence.

As the Trinity, become a communion of love in mission.

Mary Magdalen is another example of fearlessness, freedom and hope. She announced

“I have seen the Lord.” We seek an inner communion with Jesus – like Mary did.

We are empowered by the breath of life and are called to share it with others even to the ends of the earth.