We sat in silence for a time, bearing witness to her sadness. Her poem spoke of joy hidden within the pain. It held all her grief, joy, tears, laughter, and family. We had our hearts opened to her heartbreak – and sensed the suffering behind her words. Finally, to break the silence, we attempted a response. “We can all relate to this,” said one person. “Life is all about the hills and valleys and finding joy in the moments between.”
This experience marked a new chapter for us at Drummoyne’s Creating Connection, our monthly Body, Mind, Spirit program. This evolving initiative has prompted us to approach each gathering with a sense of reverence, fostering deeper connections and remaining receptive to the guidance of the Divine. It has been profoundly moving to witness the truths of others with open eyes and hearts.
This month is Pride Month and we are called to open our hearts and eyes and honour the journey of the LGBTQIA+ community. Rick Sarre reminded me that it’s 40 years this week (1984) that NSW decriminalised homosexuality. South Australia was the first state in Australia to decriminalise homosexuality in 1975. Dr George Duncan’s death by drowning in the River Torrens on 10 May 1972 at the hands of unconvicted persons precipitated homosexual law reform. Sue Palmer from The Open Door shares that “Pride Month serves as time for all of us to reflect on the worth of all persons, each uniquely and divinely created in loving God’s image. The Good News that we proclaim is that we are all loved by God, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. This Love is for ALL people. There is no male or female, bond or free, Jew or Gentile. (Galatians 3:28) We are ALL one in Jesus Christ. People have often talked about how The Open Door congregation and the wider church community are like a safe bubble where you can just be yourself and be loved and accepted for who you are. There are so many people living in isolation who need this inclusivity. Let us be vigilant to discover new ways to make the bubble bigger!”
Reflecting also on our lived experience, Ken Robinson responded to last Friday’s blog post with gratitude “Anne, thanks so much. Your experiences and reflections you've identified for us provide a perfect companion to the reflections of Henri Nouwen in the little volume 'Spiritual Formation', recommended by John Wight in the latest World Church Herald. Nouwen says "When we contemplate creation rather than manipulating it, we are able to see nature as a gift of God to be cherished and cared for. When we receive in our hearts with gratitude and awe what God has created, we see nature as it truly is - a transcendent reality..... pointing beyond itself ...to the translucent realm of the Spirit of God". He is saying when we learn to look, feel, experience our world more deeply we begin to see things we have never encountered - "contemplative prayer helps us remove our blindfolds and see the world as.. sacramental - connected and constantly revealing to us the great love of God."
May we see that opening ourselves to deeper levels of understanding sometimes is a profound act of courage and at other times is quiet and undemonstrative but comes from a place where the impulse to love has hushed the impact of pain. It is in those moments of genuine understanding and connection that the power of Love truly resonates.
For Contemplation:
This week, look at faces, at work, walking down the street, across the dinner table. Notice the wariness, irritability, and tension. Sense the suffering behind the words. Feel in your body what it would be like for you to have the life of the other person. Take a moment to bear witness and then offer a prayer for their life.
Anne Bonnefin
Communications Coordinator
Community of Christ Australia