We hope that full shalom will come when the four billion of us who believe in a Transcendent Other are converted more deeply to the enlightenment that calls us all not to kill, not to lie, not to steal, not to lust, to respect parents, and to help the needy and weak. The teaching of Jesus, Buddha, and Mohammed will be manifested as the light for the nations when we catch his fire more fully and share it. We have met the Magi and they are us.
We are reminded of today’s stars who inspire all of us to radiate justice and love to others:
Young adults from 48 countries recently attended the 46th European Taizé Youth Meeting in Ljubljana, Slovenia. May the inspired youth carry their light onward and outward.
Efrat Meyer, who is Jewish Israeli, is the principal, and Engi Wattad, is the Palestinian vice principal, at Hand in Hand. Hand in Hand is a network of schools with branches in several Israeli cities that enrolls Israeli and Palestinian children to grow in understanding and respect for all.
Newly installed solar panels in a clinic in Mawtawar, India, are saving lives by providing electricity for equipment to support infirm patients in a fossil fuel starved region. Solar technicians are bringing the light of life, literally and figuratively.
Poland welcomes a new governing party this month, shining the light of democracy, while replacing autocracy, for many nations. The world watches the new left center government leadership of Donald Tusk and hopes for an example that can be replicated in other nations.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, Illinois, United States, has announced that it will purchase enough renewable energy certificates in 2024 to cover the electricity consumption of all of its churches, schools, and hospitals. May its leadership in clean energy lead the way for other institutions.
As the year begins, we are reminded of Pope Francis’ recent words on how the light of God’s love is demonstrated, and may be reproduced, to and by all of us:
…And this is God’s style: closeness, compassion and tenderness. And love – as we well know – does not make noise. We live it in the hiddenness and smallness of daily gestures, of the attention we know how to exchange. This I wish to you: to be attentive, in your homes and in your families, to the little everyday things, to the little gestures of gratitude, to the thoughtfulness of caring.
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