I hold my face in my two hands
My hands, hollowed to catch what might fall from within me
Deeper than crying
I am not crying
I hold my face in my two hands
To keep my loneliness warm
To cradle my hunger
Shelter my heart, from the rain and the thunder
Preventing my soul from flying in anger.
— Thích Nhất Hạnh
My thoughts are with Parisians this morning, in the aftermath of last night’s violence. In solidarity and sorrow, I add my own prayers to the collective: May we meet violence with compassion, directed toward all those whose lives were shattered. In this period of confusion, may wiser heads prevail, thus allowing peace be restored, within and beyond any man-made borders. Now, as always, nous sommes tous les Parisiens.
Amen.