A Fragment of Light in You, In Me
There is a fundamental truth that underlies how I see the world and my place in it. It is that God first loved me, forgave me, embraced me as I am, and continues to give me abundant love and mercy every day of my life. Believing this, I am compelled by Jesus in the Gospel (Luke 6:27-38) to treat others in the way that God treats me. It’s not how I think I should treat others or whether or not I feel someone deserves my love and mercy, but how God treats me and every other person in this world.
True Simplicity
In his final days, my father spent time with all ten of his children. With true simplicity, we spoke words of love and mercy, while we helped him let go with grace and peace.
Living Sparks
St. Hildegard of Bingen (d. 1179), a Doctor of the Church, received mystical visions beginning at 3 years old that led her to see all people as “living sparks” of God’s love. As we believe that all people are created by God, then God’s imprint would indeed be within each soul. To think of myself and others as “living sparks” of God’s love changes how I see myself and others, especially the little girl with the sequin dress.