Respond with Compassion and Justice

In our journey through life, we find ourselves immersed in the vast expanse of the world, like monks in the quiet confines of a monastery. There's no running away from it; we're always drawn deeper into the heart of what's right and just, into the very essence of God. This sacred inward journey, this contemplation, becomes our way of communicating with the divine, and it fuels our drive to speak out and act against injustice.

Contemplation isn't just a solitary affair; it connects us to the powerful force of God's Spirit that flows through every part of existence. In this space, there are no boundaries between what's holy and what's mundane. Through contemplative practices, both individuals and communities find themselves in a place where the impossible seems achievable.

Communities aren't always planned; sometimes they come together through unexpected events, drawing people into shared experiences. These relationships may be fleeting, but while they last, they're fueled by a common purpose and a sense of unity that transcends individual concerns.

Think about the Civil Rights Movement. It wasn't just about protests and speeches; it was about communities coming together across racial and religious lines, united by their determination to fight injustice. Activism and contemplation weren't opposing forces; instead, contemplation provided the spiritual grounding for the fight for justice.

Who could have imagined that such a deeply rooted system of oppression could crumble like the walls of Jericho? Yet, through faith and determination, people brought down the barriers of apartheid, forging a vision of community that embraced diversity and liberation.

Even in the midst of a pandemic that forces us apart physically, we've seen communities come together in remarkable ways. Some see crisis as a chance to change everything for the better, to respond with compassion and justice rather than returning to old ways of accumulation and power.

Contemplation isn't just about personal reflection; it's about connecting with something greater and joining together with others to make the world a better place.

(adopted from: Barbara A. Holmes, Joy Unspeakable)