“But we have the firm belief that God loves to dwell among us, who are His flock and precious treasure. God is a tireless pastor who continues to act, encouraging us to walk toward greater unity, which can only be achieved with the help of his grace. Therefore we remain confident, because in us, even though we are fragile earthen vessels, God loves to pour out his grace. God is convinced that we can move from darkness to light, from dispersion to unity, from wanting to plenitude.”

As I stand in my own small space of the planet, reveling in the power and the beauty of the heavens, I feel a great unity with all beings. I know that somewhere there is a herdsman in the Sahara Desert who is also gazing at the stars of our common universe. I know there is a cactus blooming in Mexico under the same sky as mine. I know that all of us are drinking in the wind and living under the beauty of the heavens. I know that all of this is a dance of oneness amid the bounty of the skies and I am grateful.