THE WAY FORWARD

Sister of Social Service Simone Campbell, famously known as “the nun on the bus,” and one of the most passionately and compassionately engaged faith leaders of our time, recently offered some practical wisdom for how we can stay connected with our own heart and with others:

“My contemplative practice is to attempt to sit open-handed and listen to the ‘wee small voice’ that sometimes whispers ideas and ways forward.”

We are beings on a planet we know demands protection, living among people we know thrive on encounter. Our daily actions pave the way forward in testimony to the silent prayer invoked at Mass “let it be to the benefit of all of and of each.” We look after ourselves and our families, our friends and our colleagues.

And then we are asked to look beyond that inner circle... to people whom we don’t even know. Our care extends to the dying, the sick, the refugee, the suffering, to those in need, to those who are far away or in our midst, for peace in their hearts and for their greatness to be drawn out for the benefit of all and for each.

”No matter how bad you’re hurting today, there is someone that’s hurting worse than you are, somewhere.”- Joyce Meyer

Think about that phenomenon of prayer, or mindfulness “each to each, all for all” happening around the globe. In faith, in good-heartedness, in care, in understanding, in compassion, in love... women and men of good will sending blessings out into the universe. It reminds us that whatever our pain or our struggle, we are never alone. It assures us that we will find the way forward together, in a universal spirit, silent but powerful, each for all.