Both Mystic and Prophet by Sr. Gloria Haider

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In his Daily Meditation of November 30, 2019, Episcopal priest Matthew Fox says, “To be a spiritual adult is to be both mystic (lover) and prophet (one who speaks out about injustice).”1 Being both mystic and prophet is something I have been reflecting on in the past few months. To be both mystic and prophet can be a challenge.  I must admit that most of my life I have concentrated more on being a lover than speaking out.  But, in our current world situation, I feel that no matter what religion we profess, we must speak out against injustice.

As people of various faith traditions, what can we speak out against?  Below are four areas where I believe we can make our voices heard.

Gun Control:  Speak out against the senseless killing of human beings by guns.  Semi-automatic assault weapons are a class of firearms designed for war. Could we at least ban this type of rifle?

Human Trafficking:  Speak out against this slavery of human beings.“It’s estimated that internationally there are between 20 million and 40 million people in modern slavery today. Assessing the full scope of human trafficking is difficult because cases so often go undetected, something the United Nations refers to as ‘the hidden figure of crime.’”2

Pornography:  Speak out against printed and visual pornographic material.

Immigration:  Speak out against the unwelcoming treatment of immigrants in our country whether they have come to the U.S. because of violence or for a better life.  Also, speak out against the current U.S. policy of keeping immigrants in Mexico because the policy is both immoral and illegal.  Our government is now ignoring our sisters and brothers at our doorstep.  I have been to Matamoros, Mexico across from Brownsville, Texas where over 1,000 immigrants are living in tents with very poor sanitation, waiting for their court date to ask for asylum.  What I have seen with my own eyes has broken my heart.

I am writing this during the season of Advent in the Christian faith.  The reading from the First Sunday of Advent from Romans speaks about waking from sleep and putting on light.  “Brothers and sisters:  You know the time; it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep.  For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed; the night is advanced, the day is at hand.  Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”3  What has broken your heart that has helped you wake from your sleep?  How can you be a prophetic witness to the light by speaking out against the immorality in our country and seeking truth and hope?

References
1Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox, “Praying the News—The Ultimate in Mature Spirituality?”, November 30, 2019.
2www.dosomething.org.  “11 Facts About Human Trafficking.”
3Romans 13:11-12

Comments

  1. Ann HaydenDecember 22, 2019 at 11:49 AM

    Thank you, Gloria, for reminding us of the importance to "awake from our slumber", and to "put on the armor of light" in order to take action on the difficult issues of our day that include human trafficking, gun violence, immigration and the abuse of the internet that entraps the vulnerable around the world. We must risk our hearts being broken in a way that will let our brothers and sisters into our lives for their sakes and ours.

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