The present

Section 3.   

Some aspects of call that are surfacing in the Institute at present:

(a)   our responsibility with regard to the goods of the Institute

(b)   our continuing journey with lay people

(c)   the need to explore new ways and new forms of membership

3(a) There is a growing awareness of the need to manage the goods of the Institute in such a way that we balance the needs of today with a sense of responsibility for future generations. We are invited to reflect together on how best to live our responsibility for the financial and temporal goods that have been entrusted to us.

We are invited to deepen our sense of being one body and sharing responsibility for the whole Institute. Due to our many different situations, there is a need to gradually change our mentality, our images and our language so that none of us feels humiliated and none of us feels superior.  We recall that human dignity does not depend on what one has or doesn’t have. Accountability has implications for ministry and witness, wherever we are. In belonging to one international community, consistency and transparency are a necessary part of our lives.

Is there a call for us to focus more on entering, or setting up, ‘joint projects’ with other groups or with local people, rather than investing in IJ institutions only? It is clear that situations are vastly different throughout the Institute and that in certain areas this is not yet possible or even desirable.  In any case, we need a shift in mentality, a change in our outlook, as we become more convinced of the value of working  ’with’ rather than ‘for’ others.

What is my sense of belonging to the Institute ?

What is my sense of being a member of the world community ?

In what ways do I feel a sense of responsibility for the good of the whole ?

3(b)  Our call is to journey with lay people in their search for deeper meaning, rather than focussing only on what we have to give. This challenges us to give God the freedom to lead us forward together, believing that this movement is already taking place. What is emerging from our varied experiences is the need for flexibility and patience - as we Welcome whatever approaches come to us from individuals or groups. Let us listen attentively with detachment and readiness to be led by the Spirit.  It is these groups and individuals who may gradually show us the way.  Our desire is to let the journey unfold without creating too many structures, allowing each country to respond in the way that is best for them, with their own rhythm and in God’s good time.

3(c)    “Our Institute has been evolving and responding to the changing needs of the times, since its beginning. Our values of courage and daring ensure that we will not hesitate to explore new ways and new forms of membership. We cannot determine how this happens and we cannot be responsible for the response of each individual. However, as part of our call as IJ Sisters, we are all responsible for the way we invite, offer information and experiences that may enable others to discover the call of God for them”.(C,20)

When they ask: “friends, where do you live ?”, with Jesus, we seek to answer, ‘come and see’. What they see will have to be who we are. We are all in this together, we are co-responsible. The ‘hot-house’ mentality of ‘initial formation’ is no longer realistic, nor does it challenge members to be truly companions to those who come to join us. All authentic changes in the quality of our lives must grow out of a change in our vision of reality and our rootedness in the mind and heart of Christ Jesus.

How do I perceive this call being recreated and rewoven in my life today ? (B,1)

What implications does this have for

a) my commitment in ministry?

b) my way of life?