Ancient cultures, marked by the slow times of nomadic and pastoral life, seem distant from our daily needs for efficiency and competitiveness. However, we too sometimes feel the need for a break, a place to rest, to meet someone who welcomes us as we are.
We need another (or others) who is willing to protect us and offer us refuge; not only that, that it is capable of being played for each of us. A leader, a teacher, a true shepherd, who not only guides us towards the truth and comes to us every time we get lost, but who helps us to recover brotherhood among us.
Thus we can have the certainty of being loved, understood and forgiven unconditionally.
Every time we experience, at least in part, this silent but powerful presence in our lives, the desire to share it lights up in our hearts, to grow our capacity for care and hospitality towards others. We could try to get to know the people in our family, work colleagues or neighbors better, to let ourselves be bothered by the needs of those who are close to us.
We can unfold the fantasy of love by involving others and allowing ourselves to be involved. Within our limits we will be able to contribute to the construction of fraternal and open communities; capable of patiently and decisively accompanying the journey of many.
Chiara Lubich wrote on a well-known phrase of Jesus: 'there is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends' (Jn 15.13). And he commented on how deeply he experienced this offer. He told us that it was a generous love, a love of effective availability in offering, in handing over one's life.
And this should also be the measure of our love (at least in intention and decision): not just any love, not a smattering, but a love so great that it puts life at stake.