Is it time for Wonder and Awe?
In our highly politicalized world, we often lose sight of the 'common good '—the greater good of humans around us in everyday life. This concept, deeply rooted in spirituality and community service, calls us to consider the well-being of all, not just our own, and to act in ways that promote justice, equality, and compassion.
Joseph Cardijn focused on the common good of those around him and acted to bring about the greater good.
Vatican II helped us understand the greater good and how to see, discern, and act to bring it about.
In March 1958, Thomas Merton had a profound experience at the corner of 4th and Walnut in Louisville, Kentucky. This experience, often called his 'Fourth & Walnut' moment, was a transformative realization of his interconnectedness with all people, regardless of their differences.
"In Louisville, at the corner of Fourth and Walnut, in the center of the shopping district, I was suddenly overwhelmed with the realization that I loved all those people, that they were mine and I theirs, that we could not be alien to one another even though we were total strangers. It was like waking from a dream of separateness, of spurious self-isolation in a special world, the world of renunciation and supposed holiness. The whole illusion of a separate holy existence is a dream. Not that I question the reality of my vocation, or of my monastic life: but the conception of "separation from the world" that we have in the monastery too easily presents itself as a complete illusion: the illusion that by making vows we become a different species of being, pseudo-angels, "spiritual men," men of interior life, what have you."
We often lose track of what is essential in our lives—what the "common good" means not only for ourselves but also for all of God's people. Remember that we all have the same ultimate goal, and Jesus explained that to us in his life's work.
I suggest you take some time to visit your shopping district, mall, or wherever your community gathers. Stand there, look around, and notice the people focused on their mission. Think about who they are and the common good for them in your community.
What do you see? What struggles are people facing in life? What joys come into their lives, and what brings that joy? What fears do they face not only physically but emotionally and mentally?
Reflect on what difference it all makes. What does it mean to be a human being in my small corner of the world? Consider Joseph Cardijn's impact on a small community of people that has grown and influenced so many of us. Think about the life of Jesus's impact on a small part of the Roman Empire, especially in and around Capernaum, a town of about 1,500 people.
When you experience your own 'Fourth & Walnut' moment, what actions will you take to bring about change? Think about your community; think of those people you see walking around and realize they are just like you. This introspective reflection will make you more self-aware of your role in the community and the potential for positive change.
Cardijn, Merton, you, and I all recognize the transformative power of everyday experiences. We all have access to a rich inner life of contemplation, and we should model our lives around a commitment to spiritual wonder and awe. It's not surprising that Cardijn and Merton found common ground in the Sermon on the Mount, which emphasizes the potential for change in our daily lives and inspires us to see the transformative power of everyday experiences.
This was also posted on allthingscyberspace.com