Five Bicentenary Jubilee Zoominar Sessions are being held in 2025, during each of which a guest speaker will share their perspective on the contemplative dimension of our Good Shepherd life and mission. Following the Zoominar on April 30, in which Congregational Leader Sr. Joan Marie Lopez offered her insight on the Universal Culture of Justice, four contemplative sisters share their personal reflections on the theme, which you can read below.
By Sr. Apolonia Espinal Ancasi from Peru (Province of Peru)
By Sister Maria José Ernesto from Lima, Brazil (Province of South East Latin America)
“What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” — Micah 6:8
Sister Joan wisely introduced us to her reflection by paraphrasing the prophet’s words—walk humbly toward the reality that surrounds us. She said: “Justice begins when we are able to see the other’s need”. Indeed, the Universal Culture of Justice calls our attention to care, zeal, and protect.
I would like to share an experience about my perception of a sister’s need in my community, who was developing Alzheimer’s disease. At first, she did not realize how serious it was, and did not accept to be cared for. So I volunteered to take on that mission. As she did not accept it, I began to accompany her little by little. She had moments of lucidity.
It was not easy. I prayed, I asked for light, and gradually I gained her trust, she let herself be cared for, she calmed down, she began to behave differently. Until one day, in the courtyard, she told me smiling: “Sister María José is my caregiver”. I was very happy to hear her words.
Since then, the problem got worse. Since then, I take care of her every day and try to do everything I can to make her feel well even if she doesn’t understand anything or know anyone. The important thing is the love I can give her.
May God be praised for the opportunities given to us to live out justice and love!
By Sisters Carol Seigel and Sonia Reyes from New York, USA (Province of New York / Toronto)
Sr. Joan’s reflection spoke so clearly in our hearts and minds. “Give us a heart on fire; Challenge our life’s vision”, she seemed to echo what the prayer said.
According to her, the Universal Culture of Justice is an invitation to radical transformation. A transformation that happens without noise and fanfare and may even happen every day.
It is an opportunity for a shift in our way of being so that we can listen anew.
To walk humbly calls for more downward movements – from defensiveness to openness, scarcity to abundance, complacency to being unsettled by new possibilities….
To see with new eyes, seeing with compassion, choosing not to walk away.
Justice begins when we choose to see and allow the Spirit to move us to act and honor the Sacred in every person.
