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INFORM-A^CTION

Issue Number 41 - December 2001

Sophia Circles

The Social Action Office has always seen prayer and reflection as a core part of social action ministry. One way in which we have given expression to this has been to invite people to join with us on a regular basis in what we have called Sophia Circles - a time when, inspired by the spirit of Sophia/Wisdom, we gather to pray and reflect on matters that are central to our faith in Jesus Christ and to our place in the world. Sister Ita MacNamara pbvm has been a part of these special gatherings and she shares with us what this has meant for her. We are grateful to Ita for sharing with us.

There is evidence from Egypt and Europe, that the association of femininity with justice, wisdom and intelligence dates back a long way and the image of Sophia or Wisdom prevailed well into Christian times. She has always been associated with God’s work of creation; was seen to be concerned with the earth and the heavens, and with the relationships among human beings.

The Hebrew people identified Wisdom or Sophia, with God the Creator. She was present before creation began, stood playfully by the side of God, as this world was brought into being. She links the human and divine, she is friend, lover, and teacher, revealing always the mysteries of God and creation.

Paul in the letter to the Corinthians calls Jesus the Wisdom of God - Sophia in person, God become human.

For a long time, the image of Sophia God was lost, but she has reclaimed her place in our spiritual lives. Last year, I began to address my God as Sophia, the wise one who is my life. Little wonder then, that I was drawn to be part of the Sophia Circles at Justice Place. I came, listened, learned, loved, prayed and was renewed.

I heard the voice of Hope, listened again to the voice of our plundered environment. I learned to distinguish the many "faces" of Sophia, as she works in her nurturing, empowering, pervading, creating and diligent ways.

I pondered on dangerous memories, how important it is for me to imagine a new world without forgetting the tragedies of the past. I realized that I must keep afresh in my mind the dangerous thoughts, so that I may play a part in a 'reconstituted world'.

I saw the Sabbath in a new light, a time for celebration, not just for an hour, but for a life time, that 'presence' is God’s way of being in our midst. Everything is God touched.

The land became very dear to me, and all that is acquired took on a new meaning.

We talked about the Wisdom of Suffering and that suffering people are the privileged place where the compassion of God is to be found - "I have heard their cry". This Wisdom helps me to rise each day and give thanks. It helps me to decry the unnecessary grief that is caused to so many, to make my protest known, so that those who do suffer may find me there.

My life has been refreshed and renewed by those times of prayer and reflection. Indeed I could well say that I have been enriched, and I wish that more people could come to know and share this time.

Holy Wisdom
My God
Sophia
May we order all things for good
As You do.

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		INFORM-A^CTION Issue Number 41 - December 2001 *Sophia Circles* The Social Action Office has always seen prayer and reflection as a core part of social action ministry. One way in which we have given expression to this has been to invite people to join with us on a regular basis in what we have called Sophia Circles - a time when, inspired by the spirit of Sophia/Wisdom, we gather to pray and reflect on matters that are central to our faith in Jesus Christ and to our place in the world. Sister Ita MacNamara pbvm has been a part of these special gatherings and she shares with us what this has meant for her. We are grateful to Ita for sharing with us. There is evidence from Egypt and Europe, that the association of femininity with justice, wisdom and intelligence dates back a long way and the image of Sophia or Wisdom prevailed well into Christian times. She has always been associated with God’s work of creation; was seen to be concerned with the earth and the heavens, and with the relationships among human beings. The Hebrew people identified Wisdom or Sophia, with God the Creator. She was present before creation began, stood playfully by the side of God, as this world was brought into being. She links the human and divine, she is friend, lover, and teacher, revealing always the mysteries of God and creation. Paul in the letter to the Corinthians calls Jesus the Wisdom of God - Sophia in person, God become human. For a long time, the image of Sophia God was lost, but she has reclaimed her place in our spiritual lives. Last year, I began to address my God as Sophia, the wise one who is my life. Little wonder then, that I was drawn to be part of the Sophia Circles at Justice Place. I came, listened, learned, loved, prayed and was renewed. I heard the voice of Hope, listened again to the voice of our plundered environment. I learned to distinguish the many "faces" of Sophia, as she works in her nurturing, empowering, pervading, creating and diligent ways. I pondered on dangerous memories, how important it is for me to imagine a new world without forgetting the tragedies of the past. I realized that I must keep afresh in my mind the dangerous thoughts, so that I may play a part in a 'reconstituted world'. I saw the Sabbath in a new light, a time for celebration, not just for an hour, but for a life time, that 'presence' is God’s way of being in our midst. Everything is God touched. The land became very dear to me, and all that is acquired took on a new meaning. We talked about the Wisdom of Suffering and that suffering people are the privileged place where the compassion of God is to be found - "I have heard their cry". This Wisdom helps me to rise each day and give thanks. It helps me to decry the unnecessary grief that is caused to so many, to make my protest known, so that those who do suffer may find me there. My life has been refreshed and renewed by those times of prayer and reflection. Indeed I could well say that I have been enriched, and I wish that more people could come to know and share this time. Holy Wisdom My God Sophia May we order all things for good As You do. Next Newsletter Article Newsletter Index