Homily, RSCJ Vocation Conference

Lisa Buscher, RSCJ
December 10, 2005

 Isaiah 61: 1-2a, 10-11; Luke 1:46-54; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28

The “rejoicing” we hear today in our readings marks the turning point in the Advent season of longing and waiting. During the first two weeks our expectation and yearning directed us towards Christ’s Second Coming.  On this, the third Sunday of Advent, we shift our focus to the Christ who was born in Bethlehem long ago as well as the One who is still among us

present in his body the church and for this we rejoice!

But it is John the Baptist’s joyful noise, his “testimony” that caught my attention in this week’s scriptures.  He appears in the Prologue of the Gospel of John, the artistically crafted poem summarizing God’s supreme revelation, the Logos, the one who pitched his tent among us.

John’s sole function is to witness. In Greek, the word is martyreo literally meaning “to be in mind.” It is testimony given to the nature and significance of Christ. It is an active participation with the Holy Spirit who gives courage and strength to bear witness.  

While we more readily think about John as the one who “prepares the way of the Lord,” this Sunday’s gospel presents him in the role of witness – Martyria – the one who testifies. 

John is asked, “Who are you?  Are you Elijah? Are you the prophet?  Who are you and what do you have to say about yourself?”

John tells us, “He is one sent by God - who testifies to the light.”   His clear response challenges us to be transparent and articulate about who we are and who we are not, about what we do and how we go about doing it.

What do we testify to? 
Whom do we testify with? 
How do our testimonies pierce the darkness of our world and Church? 
Where is our testimony being called for today?

As Religious of the Sacred Heart we “testify” to encountering and bringing to light “the revelation of God’s love, to the world. (§3 RSCJ 1982 Constitutions)  “Our starting point is the Gospel with all that it demands from us of love, forgiveness and justice, and a solidarity with those who are poor and rejected by the world.” (§7 RSCJ 1982 Constitutions)

This is a clear and radical call, a declaration to testify to God’s light found in the cries of God’s Anawim.

For most of us John’s witness is a powerful reminder of our call, but what is it about this “wild man” messenger of God that captures our curiosity and attracts us? 

Is it his outrageous lifestyle?
His simplicity of dress? 
His unusual diet? 
Or the ministry he lives passionately?

These are some of the very same questions we as women religious ask ourselves as we seek  those who will join us in our mission.

But John did not testify to attract more followers.

John sole purpose was to testify to the Light.  He witnessed.  He baptized.  He foretold of the One to come.  His mission was future oriented.

Yet we must not forget the rest of the story.  We must not forget that such radical testifying ended in death. As followers of Christ, we live beyond our death, Therefore, we do not fear bold risks to bring about the reign of God.

 The U.S and other provinces around the world, have spent the past few years in actuarial studies and elder care discussions We have been ensnared in the web of crucial and essential conversation about survival. To stay here is to miss this moment, this time, this place where God calls in the wilderness. 

Our energies must shift to focus on the vision that is emerging.  With the “fate of the society in our hands,” there is no other road, no other way.

The Spirit beckons!

It is time to shift our focus and tend to our mission.  Like John the Baptist, we must clarify “who we are and what we have to say about ourselves” in the 21^st century.

John urgently awesomely cried out his news. He was outspoken and uncensored in his testimony

and God’s anointed messenger cries to us today, summoning us to “make straight the way of the Lord.”

We have the vision.  It was given to us 2000 years ago, refined 205 years ago as Sophie gave her life in testimony to this love.

We must pray without ceasing,
be careful not quench the spirit,
be alert and receptive to prophetic utterances,
test everything and retain what is good.

This is Paul’s “testimony” to the community at Thessalonica and it prompts us to pay attention, to “tend to the life,” to live the Gospel of love.

The vision emerges as we love.  How we live love, give love, and spread love, offers testimony to our mission as anointed servants of love.

The prophet Isaiah commands us to reveal this love. We see the spaces and places for revelation today as we stand in the racial tensions surfaced by a Hurricane called Katrina; as we cry out in opposition against a war of greed and power; as we minister in a world in which women and children so often are the victims of human injustices, such as hunger, homelessness and human trafficking.

It takes bold risks in love. 
This love is the light that pierces the darkness,
it is the fuel that fired the tongues of Isaiah and John,
it is the Gospel witness for those who follow the Christ,
it is cause for our rejoicing.

Being God’s heartbeat in the world takes this kind of witness, the bold testimony of lives laid down for love.