The Time Is Now: A Call to Uncommon Courage

Sister Chittister pens a series of short essays to encourage and refresh the spirit of activists. The pursuit of social justice is a lifelong commitment to be a prophet; "Prophetic spirituality is an active spirituality that demands as much rock-hard commitment as it does heart-felt concern." Speaking truth to power necessarily involves courage as well as sacrifice and concern for the outcast. The author utilizes the concept of Old Testament prophets as a model for modern change agents. Along the way, she illustrates using modern and historical people who struggled against institutionalized oppression. The vision she encourages "requires that from one end of the social scale to the other, we each have available the measure of life's resources we need so that being alive is a blessing and not a burden." Questions for personal reflection are included to strengthen resolve and avoid cynicism. The author's progressive political views are reflected; however, the essays and reflections are applicable to both progressive and conservative Christians.