Sunday, March 12, 2017
BUILDING A CULTURE OF ENCOUNTER
“We are always capable of going out of ourselves towards the other. Unless we do this, other creatures will not be recognized for their true worth; we are unconcerned about caring for things for the sake of others; we fail to set limits on ourselves in order to avoid the suffering of others or the deterioration of our surroundings. Disinterested concern for others, and the rejection of every form of self-centeredness and self-absorption, are essential if we truly wish to care for our brothers and sisters and for the natural environment. These attitudes also attune us to the moral imperative of assessing the impact of our every action and personal decision on the world around us. If we can overcome individualism, we will truly be able to develop a different lifestyle and bring about significant changes in society.”
– Pope Francis, Laudato Si’
Human beings are called to be in community, but we sometimes forget that we succeed and fail together. How can I welcome those who suffer into my community more intentionally? How might I be responsible for the suffering of others in my community—and in my global human family?
