I am writing this in the midst of my annual family reunion, in a beach house on the coast of Southern California. This is the place where we gather annually to go the beach, share meals and most of all find comfort in the fact that we have each other.
This morning during breakfast, I ate a bagel while reading the newspaper. On the front page were graphic images and words that painted an ugly picture of the terror that struck Nice, France last night. I put the paper down and looked around at my aunts, uncles, and cousins around me thinking: “this concept of family could solve some of the world’s problems, or at least improve them”.
I started thinking about how we should treat our family--with love, kindness, mercy and compassion. We are called to be accepting, and to share our joys with them, as well as our hardships. We are called to be there for them through the good and the bad, and to journey with them along the way.
In this day in age, I am so grateful to be a part of a big, loving family. One who builds me up, encourages me and loves me regardless of all my faults. Despite all the terror going on, I find comfort in those who understand me and know me at the core.
However, this leads me to another thought: aren’t we called to love others like we love our family? Even when it’s hard; even when we get angry and our hearts well up with hate? Aren’t we supposed to love regardless? Also, couldn’t this type of love radically change the world? When tragedy strikes and terrorism is rampant, instead of getting discouraged and thinking to ourselves, “here we go again--yet another attack”, instead of thinking “how horrible and what horrible people would do something like this”, and letting our hearts fill with hate, maybe we should think differently. Maybe we should think about how we can love and how we can create a shift of ideology, instead of waging war. Maybe we can sit and pray and really deeply ask God for world peace and a change of heart of those who believe twisted half-truths.
My family has always taught me to forgive and to love, and to do both, even when it’s hard. I think our world can learn a lot from that. Especially when it’s hard to see the positives and to believe that love always wins, we need to be reminded of this all the more. So how about we go out there and love others to the best of our abilities. Even if this doesn’t end all wars, and doesn’t directly stop terrorism, maybe our part is ending wars internally and with others. Maybe putting an end to the small, “wars” and conflicts by treating others like family is our part in contributing to world peace. Maybe, just maybe, this ripple of love can spread throughout the world, and can make the ultimate difference. Until then, just keep loving, smiling and praying because that’s making peace, whether we realize our impact or not.
