Sonlight

What’s that? It’s the SUN! This short dialogue, even between strangers, has been heard with delightful surprise in the midst of the raindrops these past few weeks. It’s as if the sun is saying “I’m still around!” or “Did you miss me?” or even “Don’t take me for granted!”

In the busy-ness of our lives there is so much that we take for granted or that we don’t notice. Fr. de Mello, when asked to define prayer, responded with one word - “AWARENESS”. To be aware of what’s happening around us. To look and really see. To listen and really hear. This includes the blade of grass growing in a crack in the concrete, the magical design of our freeways circling in the sky above us while we rest in traffic congestion, and especially in people, those we live with and the uniqueness of the strangers with whom we rub elbows all day long.

This awareness of the ‘other’ takes us out of ourselves and touches us with bits of beauty like sparks of sunlight when we least expect it. Maybe we can become more aware of the world around us and catch glimpses of real “SONLIGHT.” Jesus breaks through our self-imposed darkness because He NOTICED our need AND RESPONDED WITH LIFE-GIVING LOVE. Our response can only be, “WE GIVE THANKS.”

Sr. Elizabeth Mozina, rc