Spirit of the Living Earth,

teach me to wait with wisdom.

When the world spins with 

urgency,

pull me back to the rhythm 

of roots.

Let me rest in the quiet

without guilt or grasping.

When I ache to fix what is 

broken,

remind me that presence is 

its own medicine.

When I cannot yet see the way,

help me trust the dark womb of 

becoming.

May my waiting be holy.

May it be active, listening, 

alive.

May I move not from fear, 

but from faith—

not from reaction, but from 

reverence.

And when it is time to act,

let my steps be sure,

my heart be open,

and my hands be ready

to shape the world with 

love.

Amen (1) 

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

Welcome to Stories Seldom Heard. Last month I began sharing some of the stories and experiences that our Dominican sisters and brothers, families and friends are experiencing in Ukraine as they struggle to live the Beatitudes in the midst of war (2).

Sight is important whether we are talking about eyesight and clear vision or we are discussing insight and inner wisdom.  Jesus often speaks about seeing.  He heals people who are blind, not only from physical blindness, but also from spiritual blindness.  When he opens the eyes of the blind, some people see men as trees walking (Mk. 8:24) while others come to see and believe in the One who has healed them.  This beatitude, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” plays with both these understandings.  Those who are pure in heart gain sight.  Then the blessing of insight follows.  They shall see God. 

The blessing, however, of seeing God is not just for a future time.  Sight comes now to those who strive to be pure in heart because they recognize what is important.  They strive to live their lives with integrity.  In other words, they desire to be single hearted.  In all they do they will one thing: to live in right relationship with self, others, creation and God.  Persons who are pure in heart strive to be transparent so that their motives match their actions.  They know why they do what they do.

We hear this striving to be” pure in heart” in the words and actions of Kateryna the principal of St Martin’s Catholic School in Fastiv, Ukraine.  

The students mainly come from socially disadvantaged families.  During the first year of the war, it was difficult for the students to study.  When the children heard the sirens, some screamed and shouted.  Some threw tantrums while going down into the shelter.  The younger children clutched the hand railings as they descended the stairs.  It was extremely scary for them. 

Over the years the process of taking shelter has become calmer for the children, teachers and employees (3).  

Some of the children’s likes, hopes and prayers are expressed in the book.  “I am nine years old.  I like computer science.”  “I like Ukrainian language…and English and Polish.”  “I want my sister to grow up.”  “I pray that my dad will be all right in the war.”  “I pray that the war will end and my mum will be well.”

Most everyone has family members, friends, and neighbors missing in action or deceased.   As the children and employees have worked together their trust in each other’s presence and advice have become more secure.  Yet, each day holds many challenges.

In such circumstances, it is much more difficult to create an

environment that will bring joy to the children, but on the other

hand, it is thanks to the children that we can endure, because we

know what we are living for, who we are living for.  The children

pull us out of the state of sadness and mild depression…these are

children who give a push, a kick that gives hope that this or that

has to be done, that we must go on living, fighting, getting used

to new circumstances, new realities and have hope (4).

“Blessed are the pure in heart” has been called the mystic’s beatitude.  That sounds rather challenging because most of us don’t think of ourselves as mystics.  Yet, when we take the time to acknowledge the seed of eternity that God has planted within each of us, Karl Rahner, a Jesuit priest who was heavily influenced by Dominican theologians, reminds us that all people have the capacity to experience God in their everyday life. In other words, each of us is called to be an “everyday mystic.”  Hildegard of Bingham names us, the "Thinking heart of God.  We are co-creators with God.”  What helps us open our eyes to this God-creation centered reality?  What helps us pursue the God in whom justice and mercy kiss, as the psalmist says?  Perhaps, one of the first steps is consciously trying to live in the present moment.  Our circumstances are different than our Ukrainian sisters and brothers, but our struggles are similar.  Seeking truth. Acting with integrity and love.  Responding authentically to each situation in which we find ourselves.  Interpreting our human experiences through the lens of faith.  Trusting God draws near to us, stands with us even in our most desolate moments. 

Mysticism involves” right seeing:” the desire to see things as they are.  It involves the practice of contemplative prayer, so we have the time to look beneath the surface of our daily routines and ordinary circumstances. Mysticism requires attentive listening to the Spirit who speaks in the silence of prayer and in our interactions with others.  Jesus reminds us, “Happy are your eyes because they see…(Mt. 13:16), but this seeing takes time and intention.  When we are attentive, consciously seeking an awareness of God’s presence, Thomas Merton echoes the promise of the beatitude.  Christ’s awareness “like lightening, sets free the song of everlasting glory, that now sleeps in our paper flesh.”

1.     Cameron Trimble, Piloting Faith: An (Almost) Daily Meditation.

2.     This month is a continuation of some of the stories that our Ukrainian sisters and brothers told at Holy Trinity Convent in Kraków during the General Chapter of the Dominican Order— the most important international assembly of the Order of Preachers (O.P.).  Using music, song and storytelling they explained how they are striving to live the Beatitudes in the midst of war. 

3.     Quote from Ukrainian sisters and brothers at Holy Trinity Convent in Kraków during the General Chapter of the Dominican Order.

4.     Quotes from Ukrainian sisters and brothers at Holy Trinity Convent in Kraków during the General Chapter of the Dominican Order.

Special thanks to Mary Ellen Green and Maria Hetherton who have helped in editing this article. Also, special thanks to Bob McGrath who conscientiously mails SSH to you each month.  Without Bob’s generosity this service would not be possible. Bob utilizes Constant Contact for mailing. If you wish to change your email address please send your new email address to Bob at robert.mcgrath@mgrc.com.   Thank you.

"Stories Seldom Heard" is a monthly article written by Sister Patricia Bruno, O.P.  Sister is a Dominican Sister of San Rafael, California.  This service is offered to the Christian Community to enrich one's personal and spiritual life.  The articles can be used for individual or group reflection.  If you would like "Stories Seldom Heard" sent to a friend, please send a note to Sister Patricia at brunoop2017@gmail.com.

If you would like to support this ministry, please send a donation to Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, and Mail it to Sister Patricia Bruno, O.P.,

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