Thinking of Our Neighbor

Mother Teresa of Calcutta 

Do not worry about why problems exist in the world -- just respond to people's needs.

Ryokan, Zen Monk

O that my monk’s robe were wide enough

to gather up all the suffering people

in this floating world.

Jesus wept.

(John 11:35)

[My mind is on the suffering of the courageous people of Ukraine, and on those who support them. Their undeserved pain makes me feel my own inability to help them. Mother Teresa advises us to respond to their needs – send help however we can - and any case, pray, pray, pray. Ryokan reminds us that all suffering occurs “in this floating world”, perhaps reminding us of the illusory and temporary nature of even such desperate situations as war. And Jesus - who knew God and knew the nature of death, was still brought to tears at the death of his friend. What we can do is pray for those in Ukraine who are at the mercy of a tyrant, pray even for the tyrant, and be a source of peace in our own small world.]