THE SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS WE FACE TODAY CANNOT BE SOLVED ON THE SAME LEVEL OF THINKING WE WERE AT WHEN WE CREATED THEM.

ALBERT EINSTEIN

Have you had one of those moments recently where life had to stop? You know those days or weeks; injuries, sickness or death of a loved one.

Those moments in life which force us to re-evaluate, to look differently, to pause and catch our breath or define our priorities. Most often, we don’t choose these things, but we will face them as part of life’s journey. Each time we may be confronted by one of these moments we realize how deeply fragile our life is. Sure, we can choose not to show emotion, learn not to care, we  can choose to keep people at a distance and be in control as much as possible. But there is an alternative.

Being in control of these realities resembles a certain type of strength. It is an authentic and true strength, which is good. But if we are honest with ourselves, you and I as human beings are created from the same elements that make up creation’s foundations.

Science tells us this. We are equally fragile and vulnerable, while being resilient and intelligent.

Our fragility is exposed when something rocks us to the core. It exposes how we cope, how we express our hurt, how patiently we wait, how we respond, how we use our time, how we treat others and how we communicate with God. Strength is most authentic and effective when we can first recognise and acknowledge our weaknesses.

Being aware of our own vulnerabilities and weaknesses enables us to have a greater self- awareness and therefore helps us to understand those around us. If we can recognise this within ourself, we can see the signs in others that we may encounter in our good works with the Society. By having this understanding of ourself we may even be an example to others, that it is ok to have moments of fragility and vulnerability and that it is part of our lived human experience.

There is no shame in owning our vulnerability. We believe God comes to us and meets us in the things that happen to us as distinct from the things we choose for ourselves. If we find ourself in a place which we do not choose and we are struggling to break through, in the silence of our heart, let us acknowledge with honesty our position of vulnerability and our need for help. Ley us ask God to meet us there and then listen and watch attentively for God who is mercy, to offer a way forward as He seeks to set us free.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

• When we feel fragile or vulnerable, what do we do to overcome those feelings?

From: Firewood for the soul, vol. 1, A Reflexion Book for the Whole Vincentian Family
St. Vincent de Paul Society, Queensland, Australia.
Text by: Samantha Hill.