The Time Is Now: A Call to Uncommon Courage

by Joan D. Chittister

A beloved nun and social activist offers a soul-stirring guide for all who feel disillusioned and dissatisfied with the power-hungry institutions and systems of this world “A cri de coeur against the status quo and for a bold spirituality to fight injustice.”—The New York Times In The Time Is Now, Sister Joan Chittister—a rabble-rousing force of nature for social justice and fervent proponent of personal faith and spiritual fulfillment—draws on the wisdom of prophets, both ancient and modern, to help us confront the societal forces that oppress and silence the sacred voices among us.  Pairing scriptural insights with narratives of the truth-tellers that came before us, Sister Joan offers a compelling vision for readers to combat complacency and to propel ourselves toward creating a world of justice, freedom, peace, and empowerment. For the weary, the cranky, and the fearful, this energizing message invites us to participate in a vision for a world greater than the one we find ourselves in today. This is spirituality in action; this is practical and powerful activism for our times.Praise for The Time Is Now“For decades Chittister has been a prolific author and advocate for women and social justice inside and outside the realm of the Catholic Church. Here she shares her perspective on the current state of equity, social justice, and the environment and calls on all Christians to explore the traits of prophets, many of which they can find within themselves . . . offering motivation as well as ways to accomplish change.”—Booklist “A series of short essays to encourage and refresh the spirit of activists . . . applicable to both progressive and conservative Christians. Will appeal to spiritual readers seeking an encouraging book for social justice advocacy.”—Library Journal (starred review)

Genres: Nonfiction, Spirituality, Religion, Social Justice, Faith, Theology, Politics

136 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 5, 2019

About the author

Joan Daugherty Chittister, O.S.B., is an American Benedictine nun, theologian, author, and speaker. She has served as Benedictine prioress and Benedictine federation president, president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, and co-chair of the Global Peace Initiative of Women.

Reviews

[Scottsdale Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a breath of fresh air!

In a period of many strident voices deriding “the other side,” Chittister is making a rallying cry challenging her own group to wake up, speak up, and do right.
Chittister is calling her brothers and sisters to prophetic acts, acts that never harm others, but are meant to wake each other up to the real harm in the world. The Time is Now: a Call to Uncommon Courage encourages people to be brave, to speak up, to act to help anyone and everyone.

Joan Chittister, an American Benedictine nun, theologian, an internationally known writer and social activist, asks, “How do we really get out of the swamp we’re in?”
Her answer: By confronting it.
Response: But what will that take? A model, a vision, a commitment, courage, and... "Annnnnnd...? What else is needed to fix this muddled world?"
Answer: You.

In Chittister's words, “The prophetic act is always done for the good of others: To save lives in unjust wars. To save fetuses from wanton destruction. To save punishment from becoming nothing more than an act of civil revenge rather than an act of rehabilitation. To bring integrity to the state and justice to its citizens.”

Truly worth the read! – Kathy G.

[Judith Valente · Rating 5 out of 5]

Few people have spoken with as much moral clarity about the spiritual illness afflicting our country than Benedictine sister and author Joan Chittister. Oprah Winfrey recently interviewed Sister Joan about her latest book “The Time Is Now.” This is must listening and reading for all of us who care out the soul of America.

We are in a “crossover moment,” according to Sister Joan, traveling without a moral compass. We need only consider the children who have died in detention on our southern border; the relentless gun violence in our public places, not to mention the culture of lies in our public discourse and increasing disrespect for the rule of law.

Sister Joan calls this “a complete collapse and crisis of American values.” And what are those values? Compassionate respect for others. Character as a crucial component of leadership. Striving for the common good. All themes stressed in the 6th century Rule of St. Benedict. All still cogent to a well-functioning (and, dare I say, Christian) society today.

One of the worse evils in such a time, Sister Joan points out, is to remain silent.
I recently watched a History Channel documentary on the rise of the Third Reich. Even some German Jews initially supported Hitler’s grand promises to rebuild the economy and make Germany “great again.” A majority of the German people wasn’t responsible for the racist laws that led to abductions, beatings, arrests, and ultimately to the death camps. The vast majority was guilty of keeping silent.

Sister Joan calls on all of us to be not merely churchgoers, but prophets. A prophet, she notes, speaks truth to lies. A prophet says no to the abuse of other human beings based on their skin color or their passport designation. No, to the degradation of our natural resources. No, to the concentration of wealth and power among the few. No, to national self-centeredness, but yes to mercy, compassion, and to life.

She reminds us too that Jesus -- the ultimate healer -- was also the ultimate prophet. Jesus contended, contested, confronted and challenged those who put the good of the few ahead of the common good.

Sister Joan’s words challenge me to speak up, to work harder for the kind of country I want America to be. She recommends meeting with our neighbors, going to community events and meetings, and keeping ourselves informed.

I would also suggest that we start demanding to talk about these issues within our churches and to hear about them from the pulpit.

As a daily Mass-goer, I’ve heard three homilies about abortion law changes in recent weeks. (Chittister accuses many churches of being “pro-birth,” rather than pro-life). I’ve heard nothing about the deaths at the border, the recent deployment of additional U.S. troops and military equipment to the Middle East, or the growing evidence of corruption within our government.
I’ve heard nothing about the need to improve our health care system or the growing gap between rich and poor.

A storm is gathering, Sister Joan warns. We can close our eyes and hope it won’t hit us. Or, we can work to force that storm to change course. We’re not on this earth simply to win, she notes, but to love, to grow and to leave the world a better place. That’s when everyone wins. How can I begin this week?

From my blog, which I post on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JudithValent...
Also on my website: https://www.judithvalente.com

[Kaelynn Judd · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband and I recently read this book while on a long road trip. It came to us in the perfect time in our spiritual journey. By the time we finished it, we both felt God stirring up a passion in us for changing the world and letting our voices be heard.

In this book Sr. Joan presents the reader with a single question. "Will we take up what we know is our moral and spiritual responsibility: to make the world a better place for all, to bring to life the fullness of Creation for all? To help bring about equality, safety, security, and compassion for all?" She then spends the rest of the book talking about exactly how to do that.

[Ruth M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

She calls us to awaken the prophet within

This is one of the most compelling books I have read this year so far. Sister Joan issues forth a stirring call to prophetic action and reminds us that when we stand against injustice we stand with, and become, co-prophets with Christ.

[Will · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had seen Sister Joan on Oprah's Super Soul Sunday and was enamored. Her message was great and her strength is inspiring.

There is much truth to power being spoken within these pages. She uses past historical figures - prophets of the church mostly - to explain how anyone who is hearing the call to stand up must do so. We cannot remain silent while the world around us burns.

She also touches on hope and that the road is never easy but reminds the reader that many came before and many will continue to fight for others and for what is right.

My reason for a 3 star rating is that I found it difficult to get a good flow going. The material is definitely heavy and while I loved the message I didn't exactly love the writing style.

[Sheri L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring read. Hoping others will read it, too.

I saw Sister Joan on Oprah's Super Soul Sunday. This book embodies what my heart & soul have been feeling in the past 15 years.

[Kym Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joan Chittister paints a vivid portrait of how much more each one of us can do to cry out, without fear and be the messengers of God for this hurting world. We must summon up our courage to use our gifts to be the voice of awareness, hope, purpose, love, and direction. We must work differently in spite of impending resistance to be that visionary who gives life.

"What people do not understand they tend to disregard; what they understand but do not like, they tend to disparage," she notes. We must confront those societal forces supporting oppression, injustice, inequality, suppression, arrogance, and greed. This book is easy to identify with, extremely relevant for our time, and a must-read. Now is not the time for prophetic messengers to sit and remain silent.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring and timely. This book is a call to action.

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

10 stars if I could

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good heavens, this is a masterpiece. I picked this up on a lark at the bookstore prior to vacation, having heard Joan on the podcast circuit, most recently with Oprah. If you, like me, have been struggling to understand what your spiritual life ought to look like, thinking it ought to be more than church attendance, dressing for the occasion, fasting (I'm Orthodox Christian, so yes, fasting is expected), scripture reading, and prayer, then this book is for you. If you wonder why you feel alone - without community - for speaking up, this book is for you. If you are hungry for your life to have purpose, read this book. This just may be one of the most influential books I've read. I love how there are reflections at the end of each chapter. These really stirred my soul. The book itself is a relatively quick and easy read if not one that may make you feel uncomfortable at times, like the time I realized I was the only one who was willing to attempt the Heimlich maneuver but felt totally unworthy. That was a situation where seconds counted and I couldn't bear to second-guess myself. I feel this way about how I'm living my life now that I've read this provocative, yes, call to uncommon courage. This book got to me in a way that 50+ years of sermons and scripture on my own did not. Even if you aren't Christian, read this book. The world needs your voice. Your work. Your vision. Even if, like Moses, you yourself don't get to the Promised Land.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Challenging and heart-felt, The Time Is Now: A Call to Uncommon Courage urges us to become prophetic people and explains what that means and how to do it. The tone is almost 180 degrees from the book I had just read (Everybody, Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People but, in a way they were about the same thing. This one was more terrifying and exhausting, however, so I'll probably stick with Bob Goff...

[Christy Valyou · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to Sister Joan speak during her interview with Oprah on an episode of Super Soul Sunday and fell in love with her immediately. I was so drawn to her ideas about how people have lost the art of CONVERSATION; instead, most people simply debate or argue their point of view instead of actually having conversations. And, isn’t that the truth?! I liked this book-lots of gems to be found. However, I did feel like I enjoyed listening to her speak a bit more. This book dives into an exploration of many of the social issues of our time and invites us all toward activism (instead of continuing to be complacent).

[Gay Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joan Chittister calls us to be brothers and sisters to each other, to love, to feed the hunger and dive into the worlds pain and injustice and just to something risk taking to help the marginalized people.Pay attention to world around you and be astonished by the hurt, the pain and lack of concern. Talk about it and find little ways to help others and to solve the root of the problems. The Time is Now.

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sister Joan spoke to the fears and feelings of incompetence that I have been experiencing as I begin work against the death penalty in the state of Ohio. Her words will be reread by me many times in the future when these same and other negative thoughts arise in my mind. Bless you Sister Joan for opening our eyes, giving us hope and the spiritual sustenance necessary to do the right thing

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5. Read Judith’s review below. I couldn’t review this book more eloquently. We as a majority (I hope) in our country cannot be silent about the immoral discourse that is occurring. We must, individually, speak up and out about whatever we perceive to be the continued deterioration of our basic human values of love thy neighbor as thy self. Do something!

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this a second time in a few years, this book is inspiring and challenging. Sr. Joan has done it again - she has addressed the issues we are all facing right now, and she gives us the answer to our dilemma - what can I do to make this better?

[Roben]

A wonderful inspiration for change.

[Vicki Tillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of book that I will read several times.

[Kathleen Nalley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, inspiring, with a mix of prophets and meaningful quotes from leaders.

[Bradley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was really enjoying this book up until page 72. Sister Joan’s newest book is all about what we, as every day people, can do about to create “a world of justice, freedom, peace, and empowerment.” I’m all about that so I should be gung-ho about this book. Then I hit page 72 and read this: “Others contested the legalization of abortion as a sin against the commandment “Thou shalt not kill” but refused to harm doctors who performed them”. I had to read that sentence several times because it’s a bit confusing. Now, looking at the context of the previous sentences, all I can come up with is that Sister Joan isn’t pro-choice. It’s surprising because she seems to be a feminist but she is a Catholic nun so I shouldn’t be surprised that she’s against abortion. Still, it really seems as if she’s calling for people to rise up against doctors that perform abortions. I was willing to keep going in case I was misinterpreting what Sister Joan was trying to convey. Then I read a little bit farther down. “The prophetic act is always done for the good of others. To save lives in unjust wars. TO SAVE FETUSES FROM WANTON DESTRUCTION. To save punishment from becoming nothing more than an act of civil revenge rather than an act of rehabilitation. To bring integrity to the state and justice to its citizens”.

What the fuck! Wanton destruction of fetuses. I’m adamant about being pro-choice and it’s doubtful that most women that need to end a pregnancy think to themselves that they are wantonly destroying fetuses. For Sister Joan to compare women ending their pregnancy to the white nationalist movement or the people who brutally attacked the civil rights protesters of the 1960’s is uncalled for and distressing. Fuck that! I’m disappointed in Sister Joan, disappointed in this book, and disappointed that Oprah would give Sister Joan a Super Soul Sunday endorsement after reading the passage I quoted.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the single most inspiring book I have read this year. Sister Joan helps us see we are in a “crossover moment,” traveling without a moral compass. She then presents the reader with a single question. "Will we take up what we know is our moral and spiritual responsibility: to make the world a better place for all, to bring to life the fullness of Creation for all? Then she goes on to give us the way to accomplish this.... one by one, each by each of us. The quote that lingers is
" The Poet Mary Oliver may have written the best definition of what it means to be a prophet in contemporary spirituality. She writes, "Instructions for living a life. Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it."
I am recommending this book to my spiritual reading discussion group.

[Alyssa Foll · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to admit, I am disappointed with this book. From the previews and excerpts I had read, it looked to be more substantive than what it really was.
I very much appreciated Sister Joan Chittister's call to prophetic action and to the prophetic tradition of Scripture. I appreciated her pointing to the pressing concerns of our time and the needs of our world -- immigration, climate change, peace, women's rights, etc.
But where I was disappointed was that she occasionally would veer off on a "list-rant" where she would talk about the needs of these big issues, but without any substance. It felt a little like an outrage list.
And while there was some meaningful content, I would still turn to Walter Brueggemann and the "Prophetic Imagination" or others who have written in that vein, before I would recommend this book.

[Christine Stafford · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a challenge to us to be "prophets" in our world, and particularly in this country during these troubled times. I found the book to be not only informative but filled with her wit and wisdom. It is not a book to be skimmed quickly, but read and savored for the impact it can make in one's life. It needs to be digested slowly and let the seeds it plants germinate and hopefully bear incredible fruit. I have followed her and her writings for years and am never disappointed.

[June · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not all that revolutionary to me. If the people who need to read this actually take something from this that would be wonderful but they will stop reading after a few pages. Those of us who already are breaking from the terrible events in this administration already know how to behave. And believe me we don’t need to be Christian or religious at all to care about others.

[Sarah Toney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so appreciate the distinction drawn betweenJesus as Healer and Jesus as prophet and what being a prophet means. She describes the challenge and experience of living into prophetic spirituality, along with the fruit. It was very clarifying for me and will be a book I hold on to for ongoing comfort, guidance, and inspiration.

[Peter Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the text did sometimes seem repetitive to me, it was nevertheless passionately written and in many was inspirational. It is a clarion call for people of faith to embrace their prophetic voice in this troubled world of ours.

[Lyn Vaughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A timely and inspiring book from a great soul.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

First 50%is challenging and prophetic. The rest is filler.

[Myndi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t finish it. The social justice aspect was inspirational. We are definitely of the same mind in that regard. However, as an agnostic, the religion was too heavy-handed for me.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reinforced my actions and beliefs - and has changed my life.