Charism of justice

Overview

This prayer in on the charism of Justice. A charism is like a living gift. It is a way of living or doing, inspired by Jesus, which links us to God. As you pray with your staff, we hope that you will develop a clearer appreciation of how each charism can impact on your life and the lives of those around you.

In this prayer module, your charism is linked to the spirituality of the Missionary Society of St. Columban and to the prayer style of digital Prayer.

Introduction to the Charism of Justice prayer

Gathering

Each of the prayers in this series of Charism Prayers starts with a brief ritual that serves to engage and focus everyone to the spirit of the prayer. As well as being a means of focusing your staff, it is also a way to add another level of meaning and understanding to the charism.

The ritual for your prayer involves simply pausing for some reflective time and viewing the images on handout.

Reading and Reflection

The reading is Luke 4:16-21. The reflection material invites us to consider what it means to work for justice in the way Jesus did.

Prayer

The prayer style is digital prayer and is a reflection video on the importance of contemplation by a member of the Missionary Society of St Columban. Have the YouTube reflection ready to play: https://youtu.be/jpg-g6EAAwA.

Surprises

Add to the experience of the prayer by continuing to bring your prayer’s charism to people’s attention, during the week. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Use the PA/ email/ notice board to remind staff of the Justice theme.
“Just a reminder for all staff …Are you are person of Justice?”
“A reminder for staff - Charity isn’t a good substitute for justice."
“A reminder for staff –Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”.

The structure and ideas we have included are just suggestions. Please feel free to modify or add to the wording to make the experience more personal and relevant for your staff. Adding you own touches will not only make the experience more enriching for you personally, but also for the rest of your staff.

Prayer handout

Print the prayer handout from pages 3 and 4 of the Charism of Justice leader guide.

Prayer Leader notes

Using the notes:
Sections to be read by the leader are marked with Leader: at the beginning.
Texts in bold type are notes and guiding information for leaders and provide a guide for what to do or say.

Resources:

Lap top
Data projector
Video ready to play
Handout sheets
Head, Heart, Hands candles
Staff candle
Matches
Prayer intentions book

Setting up for Prayer

Prepare a prayerful space suitable for your staff to gather around. Have ready…
- The ‘Head’, “Hands’ & ‘Heart’ candles to light in the opening prayer.
- Your staff candles.
- The prayer intentions book.
Have computer and/or projector ready.
Have the YouTube reflection ready to play: https://youtu.be/jpg-g6EAAwA
Organise someone to read the scripture passage.

Charism of Justice Prayer

We Gather

Leader: Justice is a fundamental charism for all followers of Jesus and has been a particular and strong characteristic of the Catholic tradition.

The Columbans are a religious order that has become strongly identified with their work in justice.

Today our prayer invites us to walk the way of Jesus and the Columbans; to work for justice, to be a people who choose to close the gaps that separate and divide.

Pause to look quietly at the image on your handout.

As you look at the image spend a moment considering:

What the story behind this image may be,
How injustice or prejudice may have impacted the life of this person.
Recall where you may have seen similar images in your own life.

(Allow for a few moments of silence)

Opening Prayer

Leader: As we gather, let us begin with the sign of the cross.

God of justice,

You lead us on life’s journey
As we gather here in Your name,

Open our minds to know Your voice.

(Light ‘head’ candle)
Open our hands to do Your work.

(Light ‘hands’ candle)
And open our hearts to hold Your Spirit.

(Light ‘heart’ candle)
Amen

We Listen

Scripture

Leader : Invite someone to proclaim the Word

A reading from Luke 4:16-21 (NRSV)
When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:

‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me

to bring good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives

and recovery of sight to the blind,

to let the oppressed go free,

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’

And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’

Jesus Calls Us to Walk with Justice

Leader: Most businesses have a vision statement posted somewhere in their office, website or reception area. A vision statement defines a reason for being. It embodies your philosophies, goals and ambitions. It’s what you are about.

Attempting to operate without a vision, you run the risk of wandering, and not achieving what you set out to achieve. The Hebrew Scriptures remind us “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Jer 31)

Jesus told us about his vision – the reign of God - and then in all he said, and in all he did, he walked the talk of that vision.

Throughout his life, Jesus touched the lepers, healed and spoke to those considered cursed because of illness or disability. He treated women as people, not property. He ate with public sinners and tax collectors. He put people before the law. He placed those pushed aside at the centre of his concern. Always he saw the person and not their baggage; their potential not their past.

If we are to walk the way of Jesus, then we need to buy into his vision- do as he did; talk as he talked, and this means becoming a face of justice in the world - to stand and walk with the poor, the unemployed, the homeless and displaced, the sick, the lonely. While we cannot fight every battle, and move on every front, our hearts each day are called to justice. We should never find ourselves standing alongside and watching as unjust events and issues pass us by.

If we wish and expect to be treated with justice, then we are called to be people of justice ourselves. Together we have the vision, we are all sent to live this vision. How each of us lives this vision is our individual mission.

Leader: There are a few minutes of quiet time now to think about what we have just listened to and to spend some time considering the questions for reflection on our handout sheets.

We Respond

Reflection

Have you ever though about writing your own mission statement? Out of the following gospel values, circle the ones you feel you can ‘Walk the talk’ on.

Compassion – Forgiveness – Peace – Love – Justice - Mercy

Use the values you circled to make a start on your own personal mission statement. Simply write up to 3 values you have chosen and add some real, everyday examples of how you can commit to ‘walking the talk’ on each.

In my life, I will ‘walk the talk ‘ of _________ by the way I

___________________________________________________

After some minutes play the following YouTube video:

Reflection by Columban - Fr Noel Connolly - You don't have to save the world | The need for contemplation

https://youtu.be/jpg-g6EAAwA

As it finishes -

Allow a few moments of silent contemplation.

Individual prayer

Leader:
As we pause now before our prayer time ends, we stop to light our staff/school candle. (Light the staff/school candle)

We pause in silence to pray for the intentions we have added to our staff intentions book…..

(place it into the prayer space)
and those who are already on its pages.

We add to these the prayers that are known only in our hearts….

As our candle burns throughout today, may the One who hears the cries of the poor listen to our prayers and may our hearts be opened to hear the response.
(Allow for silent prayer)

We Go Forth

Closing Prayer

Leader: Let us pray together…

As we go about our day O God,

As we strive to walk with Jesus

Remind us that we are the face of Christ,

Who is with us always.

May your grace, mercy and peace,

Bless us, protect us and transform us all,

This day, now and forever.

All: Amen