Kelly Litt[/caption]
I haven’t gotten too much sleep these last few weeks, beginning with late nights watching the World Series to late nights watching news and election returns. With a disappointing end to the World Series (for me as a Cleveland fan) to an unexpected presidential election outcome, topped with shootings, discrimination, obvious effects of climate change, and an all too uncertain future for both those within our country and around the world, it would be easy to feel discouraged during this season of Thanksgiving.
I find myself drawing hope from an old proverb which says, “"t is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness."
So while it would be easy (and perhaps even reasonable) to curse the darkness, again and again, we can rest assured that through the darkest of times, God always provides us with a candle or points us in the direction of a small spark. As we approach Thanksgiving, I think it is even more important to prayerfully reflect on the good happening in our lives and around the world. Below is a list (certainly not a complete list) of just a few things that I am thankful for this year:
- The Dominican Sisters of Peace and Associates Justice Committees who continually work for peace and nonviolence, an end to human trafficking, immigration reform, and eco-justice with a passion and commitment that is inspiring;
- The Paris Agreement, and the countries who have vowed to continue with their agreement regardless of what the United States claims it will do in the coming months;
- Clean water as I remind myself that others like those in Flint, Michigan or the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in North Dakota are continually fighting for their right to clean, safe water;
- Groups, coalitions, and organizations (Catholic, interfaith, and other) who are working for peace and justice in our cities, states, nation, and globe. A few include: Catholic Nonviolence Initiative, Nuns on the Bus, Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence, Polaris, Justice for Immigrants, Catholic Climate Covenant, Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, and LCWR;
- Our Dominican family and all our families and friends; and
- Catholic Social Teaching and our chapter commitments which propel us to continue our journey to preach the Gospel through our lives while working always toward peace.