The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous.
[Excerpted from Fully Awake and Ready to Respond, Herald Publishing House, 2017, pp. 12–13]
Aung San Suu Kyi, state counsellor of Myanmar and winner of the 1991 Nobel Prize for Peace, outlines a threefold path of compassion that is grounded in her Buddhist experience and practice.
She describes this compassionate way as “The courage to see. The courage to feel. And the courage to act.” To live compassionately, she says, is to courageously see the connection between ourselves and those who suffer. Not only do we see the connection and become aware of it. But we allow ourselves to feel it. Finally, it is not just to see and feel the connection but to act on it, to courageously take responsibility for those who suffer.
Suu Kyi’s threefold path has connecting points with Walter Brueggemann’s concept of prophetic imagination: Quite clearly, the one thing the dominant culture cannot tolerate or co-opt is compassion, the ability to stand in solidarity with the victims of the present order. It can manage charity and good intentions, but it has no way to resist solidarity with pain or grief.
Newness comes precisely from expressed pain. Suffering made audible and visible produces hope, articulated grief is the gate of newness, and the history of Jesus is the history of entering into the pain and giving it voice.
Spiritual awakening leads us into relationships where we encounter the suffering of others. Our willingness to become vulnerable to that suffering creates space for inspiration and courage to challenge the status quo. Together we draw strength from our relationship with God and one another to envision and enact God’s future into being one step at a time.
Prayer Phrase
“What can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18).
Spiritual Practice
Breathe Hope
Find a quiet space where you can sit without distractions. Light a candle. Take a few deep breaths, allowing your body to relax with each exhale. As you breathe, let go of any tension or worries you may be holding onto. Take notice of the way the flame dances and flickers, casting light and shadow in the room. As you observe the flame, imagine it symbolizing the spark of hope within you. With each breath, imagine the flame growing brighter and stronger. Visualize this light spreading throughout your body, filling you with a sense of hope and positivity. Take a moment to express gratitude for the blessings in your life, no matter how small they may seem.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.