OUR FOUNDING VISION TODAY: SEEING, TO “REALLY SEE”

We are members of the prophetic Church. While recognizing our own need for conversion, we bear witness to God’s holiness and justice. We announce the liberating presence of Jesus Christ and the new world born in his resurrection. We will hear and make heard the clamour of the voiceless, which is a cry to God who brings down the mighty from their thrones and exalts the lowly (cf. Lk 1: 52).

CC&RR, Constitution 9

Action on behalf of justice, peace and the integrity of creation is an integral part of evangelization.

CC&RR, Rule 9a

Just last week, Father Kennedy Katongo, director of JPIC for the Oblate Congregation, published a reflection: “Towards a Spirituality of JPIC: the Oblate Charism at the service of the poor.” Because it fitted in so well with our reflections on the founding charism today, I intended to reproduce parts of it in these reflections. Three days later, Father Kennedy died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 36. These reflections now become his testament to us to continue pursuing the ideals of St Eugene which Kennedy and his JPIC collaborators dedicated themselves to work with us to achieve.

Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Ministry is central and at the heart of our mission as Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

… Therefore, the ministry of JPIC begins with seeing, to ‘really see’ – to have a truthful and deeper look at – to take a contemplative stance and a prophetic reading, to be able to discern in light of the values of the Gospel what is happening in our world today – our common home. JPIC ministry assists us in analyzing the current reality with a contemplative perspective to see more deeply the structures that generate poverty, devastation of the environment, conflict and violence and how we might more fully make the values of the Kingdom more visible and functional. This is the reality and the world in which we as Oblates live and minister to the people.”

Kennedy Katongo OMI (http://www.omiworld.org/en/content/news/3805/towards-a-spirituality-of-jpic-the-oblate-charism-at-the-service-of-the-poor/ )

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“What is needed desperately today is prophetic insight. Scholars can interpret the past; it takes prophets to interpret the present.”   Aiden Wilson Tozer

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1 Response to OUR FOUNDING VISION TODAY: SEEING, TO “REALLY SEE”

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:

    “…the ministry of JPIC begins with seeing, to ‘really see’ – to have a truthful and deeper look at – to take a contemplative stance and a prophetic reading, to be able to discern in light of the values of the Gospel what is happening in our world today – our common home.” In taking the time to read Father Kennedy Katongo’s reflection I see that JPIC is central and an integral part of the Oblate Mission. Quite incorrectly I had thought it to be concerned (for the most part) with the environment. I begin to understand a little bit more and I am in awe of what God has ordained.

    I sit here this morning and think how each of the rules and constitutions on their own are good and right and correct, even holy; but it is together that they become the very ‘Rules of Life’ in a specific way. Like community, each member on his or her own are good and right and holy, but it is together that they have their strength power, that they begin to complete the picture. These ‘rules’ are as much a part of the congregation as are each of it’s members as is it’s living mission.

    Once again I feel like I have received a great gift, that I have been able to look and see a little more clearly, in a new way, more deeply… I sit here feeling that I am falling in love all over again, with God, with life, with all of creation.

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