Practicing the Future

I believe that we learn by practice. Whether it means to learn to dance by practicing dancing or to learn to live by practicing living, the principles are the same. In each, it is the performance of a dedicated precise set of acts, physical or intellectual, from which comes the shape of achievement, a sense of one’s being, a satisfaction of spirit. One becomes, in some area, an athlete of God. Practice means to perform, over and over again in the face of all obstacles, some act of vision, of faith, of desire. Practice is a means of inviting the perfection desired. Martha Graham

Practicing the Future To what are we being called? To what do I respond to among the calls that I hear?

“No more will the evolutionary forces of nature propel us in their groping ways of innate instinct, through the critical point into a new state of being. From now on, if we are to have a future, we must create that future ourselves.” ~ Teilhard de Chardin

Biblical Tradition of the God-Quest Solomon Jeremiah Jesus Paul Wealth Power Wisdom Love Justice Knowledge Solidarity Justice Righteousness Poverty Weakness Foolishness

Solomon YESTERDAY ROYAL TRIAD OF DEATH Privilege, entitlement, exploitation

Jeremiah Collision of Perceptions YAHWEH’S TRIAD OF LIFE Widow Orphan Immigrant THE ALTERNATIVE To know God To love steadfastly To actively intervene

Jesus of Nazareth JESUS’ TRIAD OF CONTRADICTION Foolishness Weakness Poverty THE ALTERNATIVE Covenantal solidarity Justice Righteousness

Paul from Tarsus Reiterates Jeremiah as enacted by Jesus Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. Though he was rich, he became poor for your sake so that by his poverty you might become rich. CONSIDER YOUR OWN CALL to allow for God’s holiness as an active, transformative, dynamic agency in the world.

Solomon TODAY CONTEMPORARY SIGNS OF DEATH Economy – too few resources Gluttony Pre-occupation with sex War THE ALTERNATIVE Holiness Pain Truthfulness

Practicing the Future

The Exodus story teaches about the meaning & possibility of politics and its proper form 1. Wherever you live, it is probably Egypt. 2.There is a better place, a world more attractive, a promised land. 3.The way to the land is through the wilderness. 4.There is no way to get there except by joining together and marching.

What evolutionary shifts might we want to see in ten years as one family of IHM, or of women religious in general?

Writing from your heart... Write a personal creed or manifesto... – Less than 200 words – What you believe about yourself – Your religious and spiritual beliefs – Your sense of being called – Your purpose – The convictions that will guide you on your journey

The future lies before you, like a spotless tract of snow. Be careful how you tread on it, for every mark will show. ~ Author unknown ~