From the Prioress:

A song from 1965 keeps stirring in my heart these days. Written by Hal David with music by Burt Bacharach, the song is What the World Needs Now. Here is the refrain: 

What the world needs now is love, sweet love 
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of 
What the world needs now is love, sweet love 
No not just for some but for everyone  

The verses emphasize that the world does not lack natural wonders such as mountains, oceans, meadows, sunbeams, and moonbeams — no, what the world needs is love. The chorus stresses the need for love for and from everyone. 

As I read the national and local news, with their daily diet of wars, divisions, hatred, negativism, racism, violence, and isolation, it is clear that this song is what we need to be singing and living with all our heart and soul.  

During the recent Christmas season we celebrated the mystery of the incarnation, the greatest love story ever told. What a wonderful time for us to reflect on our ability to love and our daily call to put love into action. To help me, I have had mentors who paved the way.  

Saint Gregory the Great tells a story of St. Scholastica that speaks of God’s love for us and a response of deep love. Scholastica was accustomed to visiting her brother, Benedict, once a year. They met halfway between their monasteries and spent the whole day in holy conversation and praise of God.  

On one occasion, even though they had not finished their conversation, Benedict prepared to leave because it was against the rules of his monastery to stay away overnight. Scholastica begged him to stay, but her brother refused. She then joined her hands on the table, laid her head on them and began to pray. A violent storm arose, making it impossible for him to leave.  

Benedict asked, “Sister, what have you done?” Scholastica replied, “I asked you and you would not listen; so, I asked my God and he did listen. So now, if you can, leave me and return to your monastery.” Gregory went on to write: “She could do more, as she loved more.” It was Scholastica’s love that brought about a miracle. It is a challenge for us to do the same, to love and to love more and then to love even more. 

Another story that is closer to home is an experience with my brother-in-law. My sister has been married to Jack for twenty years. They were married in December, and on the following Valentine’s Day, my sister gave Jack a small 3” x 3” red and white picture frame with hearts, two teddy bears, and the word “kiss” written down the sides of it. In the frame is a smiling picture of my sister.  

Every evening, my brother-in-law faithfully takes this picture off a kitchen shelf and places it on their breakfast table so that “Carol” greets him first thing every morning. As part of his routine, he puts it back on the shelf during the day and pulls it out every evening. Carol responds in turn every morning with a kiss. Jack tells me it is a reminder of how much he loves my sister and how he never wants to take her or her love for granted. I am deeply touched when I witness this daily ritual. 

I cannot end wars and world conflicts, but I can do my part in making sure that my life is lived in love. Community life provides many opportunities to forgive, let go of hurts, accept differences, take initiatives to spread love, and become a stronger group of women. I am grateful for our larger community of friends and supporters who love us and help provide for our needs. I am grateful for the challenges of our society to love those who are difficult and often filled with anger and hatred. They can make me a better person. Like St. Scholastica, may all of us love deeply and bring about miracles. Like my brother-in-law, let us create rituals that daily express our love.