(with apologies to Plato, Socrates, et
al)
God: Have you seen any of my prophets around here?
I need some.
Ima D.Sciple: Who are you looking for? Where do you think
they might be?
God: Who knows! I put my Word in their mouths a while
back; I hope they didn't forget about that.
Ima D. Sciple: What do you
need? Can I help?
God: I need some
witnesses. Today so many people are upset; they see their world falling apart
around them. They've lost trust in institutions of any kind – church,
government, business… They’ve stopped reaching out to anyone who thinks
otherwise and focus only on themselves and their problems. "We need someone
with answers," they say. Then some charismatic, self-proclaimed expert
comes along and says “I can solve all your problems. All we have to do is….,” and
they eagerly jump on board.
Ima D.Sciple: Your Son was
surely charismatic.
God: Yes, but he
never said his answers were simple or painless; quite the opposite. And he
warned about people who would come saying they had all the answers, but who were
really wolves in sheep's clothing.
Ima D.Sciple: Is this why you
are looking for your prophets?
God: Definitely. My Son knew that when people
were feeling lost or beaten down, they needed hope, but not the cheap hope that
promises easy, painless, and just–around-the-corner solutions that are usually
too good to be true. Rather, they need true hope that requires work, struggle,
and often collaboration with others who share the same vision.
Ima D.Sciple: This is where your prophets come in, isn't it.
They know hope isn't cheap; it costs.
God: It cost my Son
his life, and he paid it so everyone could have honest hope. I need witnesses
to remind others of this bigger reality. They will remind those in trouble that
problems are solved not by calling people names but by calling them forth, not
by alienating but embracing them.
When
people are so desperate they can't think through the "easy" answers
to spot the risks; when they accept doing violence to others so they can have
their own way; when they ignore the life-threatening needs of others to fill
their own less acute needs; these are times and places my
followers need to wake up to their calling.
Ima D. Sciple: Can't you do
something? After all, you are God!
God: So was my Son, but remember how he left
things. We decided to give our disciples opportunity and resources, then leave
the rest to them. Our gift to them is to be co-creators of the Kingdom. If they
do their job, through them justice, peace, and harmony will weave through the
human fabric. The world will be transformed.
Ima D.Sciple: And here I am. I
guess I have some decisions to make, don't I?
God: You and many
others, but if you decide, together you will re-make society to better reflect
love, which is the true nature of God. Remember, we are with you through it
all.
Sr. Colleen Winston, OSB
