Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Have the same regard for one another...Do not repay anyone evil for evil; be concerned for what is noble in the sight of all. If possible, on your part, live at peace with all./Alégrense con los que están alegres, y lloren con los que lloran. Vivan en armonía unos con otros...No devuelvan a nadie mal por mal. Procuren hacer el bien delante de todos los hombres. En cuanto dependa de ustedes, traten de vivar en paz con todos.—Romans 12:15-18
I came across a 2001 statement on Harmony in Faith put out by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The focus was the Asian communities here in the U.S. but harmony being central to our lives is something we can all benefit from.
“Harmony is not simply the absence of strife,” the statement points out, but embodies "the realities of order, well-being, justice and love as seen in human interaction.” Harmony’s objective is the dignity of the human person who is made in the image of God. We find harmony through our relationship with God, when we respect others, and when we treat the whole universe with care.
Living in harmony sounds easy on paper but is not always easy to put into practice. One way Sister Joan Chittister sees us finding that balance to achieve harmony by understanding that, “What we think, what we say, and they way we go about life cannot be lived when they are in opposition to one another.” When we try to be someone other than who we are we create tension in our lives that takes away harmony, but when we have self-control, respect and live honestly both we and our communities will be healthy and happy. This is the key to spiritual development, and from that, harmony.
Showcasing SHA talent: Joseph in 4th shows what we might look like when our lives are not in harmony.
God bless,
Mrs. Alhadef
Campus Minister
5th Grade Aide