Happy Soul Food Friday!
This week:
“The thing the church needs most today is the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful; it needs nearness, proximity.
I see the church as a field hospital after battle.
It is useless to ask a seriously injured person if he has high cholesterol and about the level of his blood sugars!
You have to heal his wounds.
Then we can talk about everything else.
Heal the wounds, heal the wounds. …
And you have to start from the ground up.”
-Pope Francis
The Pope’s Hope courtesy of Ryan Berman:
Pope Francis passed away last week at the age of 88.
While I didn’t study Pope Francis “religiously”, my brilliant co-author of a new book I have coming out in September (Headamentals), Suzy Burke, had shared the following with me and it stopped me in my tracks…
I share his profound wisdom below:
“The walls of hospitals have heard more honest prayers than churches…
They have witnessed far more sincere kisses than those in airports…
It is in hospitals that you see a homophobe being saved by a gay doctor.
A privileged doctor saving the life of a beggar…
In intensive care, you see a Jew taking care of a racist…
A police officer and a prisoner in the same room receiving the same care…
A wealthy patient waiting for a liver transplant, ready to receive the organ from a poor donor…
It is in these moments, when the hospital touches the wounds of people, that different worlds intersect according to a divine design.
And in this communion of destinies, we realize that alone, we are nothing.
The absolute truth of people, most of the time, only reveals itself in moments of pain or in the real threat of an irreversible loss.
A hospital is a place where human beings remove their masks and show themselves as they truly are, in their purest essence.
This life will pass quickly, so do not waste it fighting with people.
Do not criticize your body too much.
Do not complain excessively.
Do not lose sleep over bills.
Make sure to hug your loved ones.
Do not worry too much about keeping the house spotless.
Material goods must be earned by each person—do not dedicate yourself to accumulating an inheritance.
You are waiting for too much: Christmas, Friday, next year, when you have money, when love arrives, when everything is perfect…
Listen, perfection does not exist.
A human being cannot attain it because we are simply not made to be fulfilled here.
Here, we are given an opportunity to learn.
So, make the most of this trial of life—and do it now.
Respect yourself, respect others. Walk your own path and let go of the path others have chosen for you.
Respect: do not comment, do not judge, do not interfere.
Love more, forgive more, embrace more, live more intensely!
And leave the rest in the hands of the Creator.”
—Pope Francis
You Don’t Have to Be the Pope, to Make a Difference of Consequence:
My dear friend Dr. Ken Druck, a highly sought after Mental Health Expert and Mensch, shares his insights, with Drew and me on How to Survive Tragic Losses and How to Cultivate Hope, Meaning, Loving Kindness, Joy, and Compassion.
- What’s weighing most heavily on my heart?
- What’s making my heart sing today?
- What does today offer me the opportunity to let go of?
- What can be so grateful for, that I could fall to my knees in gratitude?
“If only I can catch myself…”
Hear the uplifting podcast interview here:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/25cozv1NAB4lfaRlNCj5x7?si=8acc2b97c5a24eec
More on Pope Francis’ Impact and Legacy-
Pope Francis’ Greatest Achievement Was Emphasizing Mercy:
Pope Francis true legacy will be his emphasis on mercy, which he believed would create a Church in ‘God’s style.’
Have a heart for those who suffer!
Pope Francis’ Greatest Achievement Was Emphasizing Mercy | TIME
Why Do We Dehumanize Ourselves by Being Tone Deaf to the Plight of the Needy and Those That Can’t Speak for Themselves?
Pope Francis Focused on Climate Change as the Planet continued to get Hotter:
The patron saint of animals and ecology brought together science, morality and faith and prompted people across the globe to pay attention to what is happening as the planet continues to heat up!
Why a transformative leader is a protector not an antagonist…
Pope Francis pushed for action on climate change : NPR
Plants ‘Scream’ When They’re Cut, We Just Couldn’t Hear It. Until Now…
For centuries, humans have viewed plants as stoic, green stalwarts of nature, keeping to themselves unless a gentle breeze made them rustle.
According to research, they’ve actually been making sounds this whole time, we’ve just been too hard of hearing to notice.
Plants ‘Scream’ When They’re Cut, We Just Couldn’t Hear It. Until Now.
Elephants form “alert circle” during earthquake at San Diego Zoo Safari Park
African Elephants at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park instinctively created an “alert circle” during the earthquake some weeks back.
Even wild animals circle the wagons to protect the vulnerable.
Elephants circle during earthquake at San Diego Zoo Safari Park – NBC 7 San Diego
YouTube launched 20 years ago with an 18-second video at the San Diego Zoo
That’s the title of one of the most consequential videos of all time. The video to start all videos. The “Big Bang” of the video-sharing world.
18-second video from San Diego Zoo launched YouTube 20 years ago – NBC 7 San Diego
These are some of the best animal, people and panorama photos in the world!
This incredible golden heron leads the winning images of Picture Award’s 17th edition, centered around animals, people and panoramas
Please pay attention, take action and preach and pay it forward with kindness, mercy, and grace.
Love,
Neville
Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nevillebillimoria
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbillimoria
“Preach the Gospel at all times.
And if you must, use words if necessary.”
– St. Francis of Assisi
Happy Soul Food Friday! 