Transformative relationships are formed when we exchange pieces of our humanity with each other. -Shawn Ginwright

Tomorrow night I am providing a reflection at the parent meeting for our son’s school on “The Power of Gratitude.” I am pleased to share some of the resources that I am considering. For me it’s all about relationships, rooted in joy, happiness and love. I remain grateful for my mentors along the way, and for the gifts that God continues to bless with me through the people and experiences in my life.

On Joy

“Our greatest joy is when we seek to do good for others…

being created by [this] God, we are created to flourish.

And we flourish in community.”

(Archbishop Desmond Tutu, The Book of Joy, p. 61-62)

On Happiness

“[The] recognition that we are all connected- whether Tibetan Buddhists or Hui Muslims – is the birth of empathy and compassion…

A compassionate concern for others’ well-being is the source of happiness.”

(The Dalai Lama, The Book of Joy, p. 37 and 47)

On Love

“Our greatest danger is not our sins but our indifference. We must be in love with God.

It is not so much to change what we are doing, but our intention, our motive.

It is not sufficient that we refrain from insulting a person; we must love…

When we say that we love God with our whole heart, it means whole.

We must love only God. And that sets up the triangle – God, the soul, the world.”

(Dorothy Day, The Reckless Way of Love, p. 33)

Prayer For Our Community- Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM

God, Lord of all creation, lover of life and of everything, please help us to love in our very small way what You love infinitely and everywhere. We thank You that we can offer just this one prayer and that will be more than enough, because in reality every thing and every one is connected, and nothing stands alone. To pray for one part is really to pray for the whole, and so we do. Help us each day to stand for love, for healing, for the good, for the diverse unity of the Body of Christ and all creation, because we know this is what You desire: as Jesus prayed, that all may be one. We offer our prayer together with all the holy names of God, we offer our prayer together with Christ, our Lord. Amen.