Maybe I am thinking of the cold because it is February and Toronto is in the middle of a cold and snowy snap? Or I am missing the warm waters and pleasant temperatures of Saba? Whatever the reason, I got thinking of the writings of a favourite spiritual guide Catherine Doherty (who initiated a small religious community named Madonna House in Combermere, Ontario). Familiar with the frigid Canadian winters herself, she writes,
The world is cold. Someone must be on fire so that people can come and put their cold hands and feet against that fire. If anyone allows that to happen, but especially the poustinik, then he or she will become a fireplace at which men and women can warm themselves. His or her rays will go out to the ends of the earth…(Catherine Doherty, Poustinia).
Maybe on this cold winter’s day we can become a poustinik (a spiritual soul and guide) where folk can come and warm themselves from the fire of our kindness and compassionate love. Even a little bit of poustinik would allow the fire of God’s restorative love to shine through, turning us into…icebreakers?
A thought for a winter’s day…
Lovely thought.
This is beautiful. It reminds me of my favorite Garrison Keillor quote: "Even in a time of elephantine vanity and greed, one never has to look far to see the campfires of gentle people."