pathways, DECEMBER 2008
THE POWER OF THE WORD
This year, the theme of the XII Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops was "The Word of God in the life and the mission of the Church".
It seems to me that there is no life and mission for the church except through the Word of God.
This season of Advent and of Christmas confronts us starkly with the simplicity, yet also with the mystery that is Jesus Christ, the Word of God for the church and for all us who call ourselves Christian.
The simplicity of a child, in a remote village, seemingly unobtrusive and unspectacular, is at the heart of our Christian faith. To model our lives on this Word of God requires of us a similar attitude of simplicity, and a belief that it is in the ordinariness of our lives and the lives of others, that we will meet the Word of God and be made whole.
Many in our world, if not all of us in some sense, are now experiencing a changed global and local reality. Our reliance of a particular "financial and economic system" is being greatly challenged. We are going to need another set of values and principles in the time ahead.
As Religious men and women of Australia, people will look to us, amongst others, for support, encouragement and love as they experience growing hardships and the limitations before them. Perhaps this Christmas in some more dramatic way, we are being asked to respond to those whom Jesus loved in his life - the poor, the lame, the imprisoned, the refugee, the stranger... With whom will we spend our Christmas time this year?
The Synod papers remind us: "In these days of conflict of every kind and interreligious tensions, in fidelity to the work of reconciliation accomplished by God in Jesus, may Catholics commit themselves to giving examples of reconciliation, seeking to share the same human, ethical and religious values in their relationship with God and with others. May they thus seek to build a just and peaceful society." (Synod Prop 8)
The Word of God is mystery. It calls forth from us a profound faith. Benedict XVI called Religious to be the living "exegetes of the Word of God" (2 Feb 2008) Religious life is itself a word which God continues to speak to the church and to the world. (Synod Prop 24) "Consecrated persons know how to hear the Word of God with the heart of the poor and they express their response in their commitment to justice, peace and integrity of creation." (Prop 24)
As the Religious of Australia may we together continue to grow in confidence, in the power of the Word of God at work and in our lives as we seek to express our fundamental commitment to justice, peace and integrity of creation for our church and for our world.
May the Word of God celebrated in faith during this season be the source of our love and our peace.
Sr Clare Condon SGS
President
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