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SOMETHING TO THINK AND PRAY ABOUT THIS WEEK
The broader perspective
A friend, facing a terminal diagnosis, remarked that he was now going to be engaged in the serious business of dying, letting go of all that was still holding him and attending to unfinished business in his life and relationships. Getting older is not about settling down with pipe, slippers and rocking chair. It involves some serious work for which we were not equipped in earlier years.
The butterfly has much to teach us here. As she flies over the forest where she first hatched and experienced her metamorphosis, she gazes down on her descendants, still crawling along the branches as caterpillars, with no idea of what lies ahead. It’s all about feeding and self-defence. The butterfly sees the bigger picture. She knows caterpillar life is not the end of the story. She knows that just when you feel you are helplessly disintegrating, something amazing may be about to emerge.
When you can see the bigger picture, everything changes. You know that everything passes and the human spirit survives. You see life from a different perspective. You are looking through the lens of the mystic. Your ability to see the bigger picture can help the younger people in your life deal better with and perhaps see beyond the passing struggles of their own lives.
As he looks upon the infant Jesus, Simeon declares that he is now ready to depart, for he has seen the fulfilment of God’s dream. Like Simeon, you have climbed your life’s mountain. You can see the broad horizon, with its beauty and its dangers. You have seen the power of God at work in your own life. And even as you approach the point of departure from everything you know and love, you, like the emerging butterfly, are standing on the threshold of transformation.
Margaret Silf, The Sacred Heart Messenger, December 2023
We remember at this time...
This week, we join people around the world in celebrating Global Dignity Day, a reminder that every single person has value. We are also encouraged to reflect on our own self-worth and recognise the dignity in others, no matter where they come from or what their story is. It’s a chance to pause and ask ourselves: Am I treating others with kindness? Am I listening with empathy? Am I showing respect, even when I don’t agree?
Let’s remember that dignity is about how we treat each other—with kindness, understanding, tolerance, and compassion.
“So God created humans in his image, in the image of God he created them” Genesis 1:27
Sacred Space – Daily Prayer for 25 Years
Sacred Space began in 1999 and has offered new content every day since then. You can learn more about Sacred Space on our About page, or if you are a regular, you can share your Sacred Space Story on our Feedback page. For our 25th anniversary, we are featuring stories from people for whom Sacred Space has played a special part in their lives. Please consider sharing your Sacred Space Story.
Sacred Space Feedback