What is Emerging?
Posted on October 4, 2024, by Mary Ellen McElroy SL
Recently I received an interesting reflection by Jan Phillips. She started with this quote from Francis of Assisi (1181-1226), “What we are looking for is Who is looking.” The following is her pondering:
When you ask a seeker what they are seeking, they might say “God” or “The Divine One” as if it were separate from them. That would be like a fish seeking water or a branch seeking the vine. Inside every human is Divinity looking out, Divinity in every cell, Divinity feeling, hearing, breathing. Religions do not focus on this for a variety of reasons. If everyone understood there was nothing to seek, that we are each a vessel of the Holy Wine, religions would not be necessary. No ministers would be required to mediate our relationship with Supreme Love.*
As I reflected on Jan’s message, I became more aware of the number of people who no longer attend religious services. I wonder how much their leaving churches is based on an actual realization that “we are vessels of the Holy Wine,” or if people are just getting tired of the male domination of many religions or the very conservative bent that many religions are taking. I guess it doesn’t matter the reason. The Spirit works with all kinds.
It seems to me that what is emerging is a global spirituality that would involve all humans. Worldwide, people are waking up to the fact that we are all on a spiritual journey we call Life, and our purpose here is to commit ourselves to develop that Life and to help create a world that works for all.
What is your sense of what is happening in religions today? What do you wonder about? What do you see emerging? How will this affect Loretto? You are invited to share your ponderings with me! Thank you.
* Source: Jan Phillips, “Bulletins From Immortality,” Aug. 18, 2024. Used with permission.
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