The morning prayer asked: What shall we bring to birth in the new creation, in our communities, in the MSOLA family, in our partners.
The response expressed the desire to carry: a new culture of collaboration, a safe space for sharing our views and opinions, our contribution to the African world, a caring and benevolent attitude, unconditional acceptance of each person. The list was quite long with the attitudes lived during the chapter. We prayed to the Risen Lord, sure that He will accompany us along the way and give us the strength to realise our dreams, wherever we go.
Everyone is busy preparing the final documents. This makes us sense the end of the chapter and the beginning of new life in our communities, in our congregation and in all creation.
Today we looked at the journey made during this chapter and where the Spirit has led us. We have walked together without fear, even when dealing with difficult issues.
From the experience lived, we have become aware that each one needs to work on her personal history and on “who I am”. Only when I accept myself with all my history will I be able to love those around me as they are. Whatever I don’t accept within myself, becomes the enemy within me, so I need to accept everything in me to transform negative energy into positive energy. I also need to change my perspective to see more aspects of the reality.
We must remember the dream that brought us to the MSOLA. Our Sisters of Temporary Vows often bring to the communities the voice of the source that reminds us of what we are called to live.
In the final reflexion of the day, we saw that in Mc. 4 Jesus crosses the river and on the other side he met a person who was profoundly wounded. Jesus asked him: What is your name? It is only when the man said his name that Jesus was able to heal him. In our chapter Jesus asks us the same question. What is your name? You have expressed who you are, whom you are. Among other things you expressed that you are wounded but you are called to transformation in yourself and in the congregation. This morning a sister said, “We have the power to hurt one another, but we also have the power to be friends”. It is up to you and up to me to choose. In Deuteronomy God says: “I put before you, death and life. Choose life and you will live”. We have the power to hurt or to live. The choice is ours.
We ended the chapter session singing the Magnificat and dancing around the room, thanking God for all the goodness he has poured upon us.
