Many IHMs have formed reflection groups that meet regularly to share community, fun and prayer. A dear friend of mine in another community often says, “Your sisters really make time to get together.” Oh, yes we do! I belong to a reflection group that is very precious to me. We take turns hosting the gathering, providing the meal and preparing the prayer/reflection. Last Sunday one of our sisters led our prayer and reflection. She posed wonderful questions like, “What is your name for God? Who is God for you today? Has your image of God shifted during your life?” Sister handed out the above “wordle” based on scripture (with the help of google searches!), her prayer and her own imagination to spur our reflection on our own image of God. After considerable time of quiet, a rich sharing ensued. Responses began with words like Mystery, Spirit, Creator, Jesus and then moved into reflections on how God is present to each of us in our lives now.
How about you? Do the above questions evoke a response in your heart? I’d love to hear about it.
In case you’re intrigued by wordles, here’s the website: www.wordle.net. Enjoy!
For centuries the daily lives of monastic women and men revolved around praying the “Office.” In Latin it was called “Opus Dei,” meaning the work of God. Priests refer to it as the Breviary that they are required to pray each day. Today we usually refer to this prayer as the Liturgy of the Hours. Early in our IHM history we had prayed structured devotional prayers in the morning, before supper and at the end of the day. After Vatican Council II as we discovered the richness of the Scriptures we relished learning to pray the Scripture-based Liturgy of the Hours. Some groups of IHMs living together today take time once a day to pray the Office, often using The People’s Companion to the Breviary, appreciating its 
inclusive language and wonderful variety of readings from Scriptures, writings of the saints and other spiritual leaders. Other sisters use this resource for their private prayer. In case you’re unfamiliar with it, in broad strokes the Office includes three psalms, a reading, quiet reflection, intercessions, and a closing prayer. Is this “Work of God” part of IHM prayer? Yes. Our sisters at the Motherhouse pray the Evening Prayer from the Office every day. From the rich ground of Scripture some sisters have moved to concentrating on just one psalm or using a favorite short prayer to lead into contemplation. Others focus on the scripture of God’s movement in their lives. All is rooted in the word of God. It is all the work of God.
At the end of July during IHM community days we were invited to share in groups of two or three about our personal prayer, how it nourishes and challenges us. Sisters Sandra Schneiders and Julie Vieira composed my threesome. Sandra shared that she begins each day with a prolonged contemplative time, including quiet prayer, reading, journaling and, of course, reflection on the Scriptures of the day. This time is sacrosanct for her. Julie said her daily prayer too included quiet and reflection on the Mass readings, adding that she is noticing often being drawn to prayer in her encounters with people and in the little glimpses of nature that capture her attention. I shared that I too always begin with letting the day’s Mass readings touch my experience. In addition my prayer includes a practice of Ignatian Examen. Looking back at the last day I notice times of deep freedom and openness when I was obviously moving in the flow of God and I sit in gratitude. In the replaying of the day, times of unfreedom, scatteredness, resistance surface as well, prompting me to reflect on what God is inviting me to.
Sharing with Julie and Sandra touched me deeply. What a treasure it is to share faith with my sisters. This is part of IHM prayer. In addition I had this image of all of us IHMs sitting quietly with the day’s Scripture in chairs in many different states and a few different countries, but united in IHM prayer.
As I mentioned the other day I’m enjoying the wealth and depth of my IHM sisters’ spirituality as I engage them in the question “What is IHM prayer like.” Of course there is no one answer, but I’m finding striking common threads. A few days ago I asked Sr. Roberta Richmond, IHM, an insightful woman just a few years my senior. She responded, “I guess I ‘d say contemplation and justice.”
Sr. Lucy Abbey, IHM working with needy children
Contemplation affirmed my conviction about the core of IHM prayer, but “justice” surprised me, so I pressed further, “Justice?” Roberta explained that for her justice comes down to right relationship with God and ourselves, with others both near and far and with all of creation. As a community we have taken Vatican Council II’s call to listen to God’s call in the needs of our times very seriously. Over the years we have prayed and discerned both personally and communally about where God is calling us.
Sr. Joyce, IHM working for Habitat
Inveterate learners, as we have realized our relationship to all creation our sphere of relationship has broadened exponentially to include not just the joys and struggles in our immediate sphere, but also the needs of the poor, those suffering violence and utter poverty and our scarred planet. We know we are all related. However, we are no politicians. We are IHM women of prayer committed to living the Liberating Mission of Jesus (Luke 4:17 ff) in our world. So our personal and communal contemplation always embraces justice. We move back and forth between a place of contemplation and action on behalf of justice.
Prayer suffuses mission.
I’ve included a link to the section on our website on justice peace and sustainability. I’ve also included a few pictures. As you may have noticed, I believe the power of images surpasses words.
http://www.ihmsisters.org/www/Justice_Peace_and_Sustainability/The_IHM_Commitment/history.asp
