One of the wonderful reflections we heard while on our Equipes Notre-Dame (Teams) international gathering in July in Turin featured ‘carbon’.
Atomically carbon is in the world in many forms; commonly as coal; rarely as diamond – they’re both the same atom but configured differently, presented differently to us. One gives heat and burns to dust – the other reflects light remaining highly valued.
When we heard this, we were invited to turn to each other and reflect, …. how often do we burn up, turn red, give off a lot of smoke, perhaps upset others with the fumes, then have a sense of feeling cold? Compared with the other form of carbon, when we are reflective, doing as Jesus would have done, shining the light of the Father on those he met. It was His words that gave light, that reflected His love “I will give you living water” …. or just “follow me ….” Or “what are you talking about?” – he used that on the road to Emmaus – but also in Sunday’s gospel (25th OT) “What were you talking about?” Perhaps just His question brings us a new realisation. Sunday’s gospel gave their response to that question…. “They said nothing because …” and their transformation then had already begun.
Of course we have to open ourselves to Him, to allow our transformation – when that transformation happens it turns out to be immense – with the result that we say, “were our hearts not burning within us?”
So, like carbon, we can be made of the same atoms, but have a totally different effect on others; when do we make the commitment of Paul as he wrote to the Galatians (2:20)? So that we can think like Jesus, speak like Jesus, love like Jesus and act like Jesus. Therefore, to show the light of Jesus and illuminate His Way to others.
Let’s take a little time to reflect about this with our partner. When do I fume and give off heat, compared to being like a diamond reflecting God’s love and joy to our those I encounter in daily life?
Annette and Paul O’Beirne
Equipes Notre-Dame – Teams
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We offer A Sit Down or Dialogue Prayer to begin a partner conversation.
Lord we place ourselves in your hands. We ask for grace that we may together better know you, that we may better know each other, that we will follow your path for us, and in all things respond with joy as our blessed Mother Mary did.
That we become “one in heart and mind” (Acts 4, 32)