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
