From the beginning !

Jean Vanier founded L’Arche communities all over the world where people with

 

and without disabilities live together. Jean exquisitely describes how to hold

 another in relationship. He demonstrates how to have lightly cupped hands as if

 holding a tiny, fragile bird. Not too open so the bird tumbles out, and not

 grasping so the bird suffocates. Lightly cupped hands support another while

 allowing freedom for change and transformation. Lightly cupped hands even

 allow another to fly away.

We are learning to hold those we love with lightly cupped hands! With lightly

 cupped hands, we are enabled to welcome those we love as they face the issues

 of their lives and arrive at their answers only providing a safe place to share

 the depths of their spiritual lives and honouring the decisions they make.  By

 providing sacred space and a compassionate listening presence, we offer room

 for  our companions to attend to God’s ever-present invitation to develop

 inwardly, make choices that have eternal significance and offer service to our

 world.

The copy of the first blog post above, which I wrote on 30 June 2012, 

when Anna created the blog site for me, brings many happy memories

of blogging for 13 years!

It has evolved to be a daily exercise of having a conversation with 

myself!

 

It surprises me to think that shortly the number of blog 

posts would cross 5000 in 13 years !

I took time to read through some of them to recollect the journey path I 

covered during this period of 13 years. I feel grateful for the journey of 

Life, Living and Learning I experienced during these years. 

Now, I have a sense of deepening the inner journey and becoming 

more familiar with the the strands that weave the inner life! 

I proceed on this inner journey with an openness to discover the  truth  

that resides within, with a desire to be authentic and be generous 

towards others! What I shall become is also a fruit of what I receive 

from others as I move along! 

I am drawn by a desire to be present to God and those who come into 

my life, although I have a tendency to loose my path often with 

distractions and short sights. 

 

It brings comfort to know that God is present in the biography of our  

life! 

I feel grateful that I am blessed with the companionship of Anna in 

this journey of life!

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)