November 30, 2021
Solidarity in Weakness
Joy is hidden in compassion.
The word compassion literally means, “to suffer with.”
It seems quite unlikely that suffering with another person would bring joy.
Yet being with a person in pain, offering simple presence
to someone in despair, sharing with a friend times of
confusion and uncertainty —-
such experiences can bring us deep joy.
Not happiness, not excitement, not great satisfaction,
but the quiet joy of being there for someone else
and living in deep solidarity
with our brothers and sisters in this human family.
Often this is a solidarity in weakness, in brokenness, in woundedness,
but it leads us to the center of joy,
which is sharing humanity with others.
~ Henri Nouwen
