Neighbors

This morning Linda Cole sent me a passage by Henri Nouwen that I think is quite profound. It was hard to decide whether to post it here or on my political blog, Child of Illusion. I think it is appropriate for both places. Here it is:

Crossing the Road for One Another

We become neighbours when we are willing to cross the road for one another. There is so much separation and segregation: between black people and white people, between gay people and straight people, between young people and old people, between sick people and healthy people, between prisoners and free people, between Jews and Gentiles, Muslims and Christians, Protestants and Catholics, Greek Catholics and Latin Catholics.

There is a lot of road crossing to do. We are all very busy in our own circles. We have our own people to go to and our own affairs to take care of. But if we could cross the street once in a while and pay attention to what is happening on the other side, we might become neighbours.

The meditative tradition says that we are not really separate but rather that we are profoundly connected. The willingness to "cross the road" for each other helps us to realize, appreciate and celebrate that connectedness.