Recently, three friends invited me to participate in an all-day woman’s retreat. The theme for this gathering was “The Year of Mercy.” The day began with a reading of the Beatitudes to the loving expressive movements of a mime. Afterwards one of the participants shared her joy in watching the gospel come alive in this performance.

The participants had an opportunity to write their own beatitudes in small groups, as they reflected upon their unique struggles and discovered blessings even in adversity.  A time for sharing opened the door to some of the darker realities of prison life; drug addiction, bullying, abuse of power, thoughts of suicide, not feeling safe, fear and sexual assault. The naming of these challenges and bringing them to light was helpful and hopefully healing on some level.

After lunch we talked about mandalas as a sacred art form. I shared my spiritual journey of drawing mandalas to express love in times of grief, in times of celebration and as a personal exploration.  Each participant  drew a mandala reflective of their life journey. The women shared their personal stories and the deeply meaningful symbolism contained within their pictures. The process affirmed their lives, the sorrow and loss,  lessons learned and wisdom gained.  They revealed the expansive Love and mercy that they have come to know through God’s Grace.

As the afternoon came to a close we joined in a large circle and moved in unison to a beautiful sacred  song. Each woman was gifted with a mandala card that offered this  blessing;

Mercy invites us to respond to life
with love, compassion
forgiveness and generosity-
within our families, our neighborhoods,
our nation, our world.
As we have experienced God's unlimited mercy,
so must we choose to give it to others.
Mercy can transform us
and bring true peace to our world.
                                                                           -Pope Francis 

Prison life not only takes away a person’s freedom but just about everything one cherishes. Spending time with these women was a humbling and enriching experience. They gifted us with their warmth, gratitude, and trust. When all is stripped away what is left? For these woman it is clear; God.  A Love that is precious and real. The Holy Spirit levels the playing field and you find yourself face to face with your own humanity.  I saw God's reflection in their eyes.

There have been few other experiences in my life where I felt as though the veil had lifted. Once as a teenager when I experienced a fleeting spiritual awakening. In 2011, accompanying companions to  Guatemala with Concern America. There I
met people who lived in extreme poverty but who were rich in love.  When a loved one dies, suddenly everything comes into crystal focus as defenses fall and you realize that life is all about love. These moments do not happen in isolation but manifest in communion with one another, when we open in vulnerability and share our hearts.

Here’s to love and to all the caregivers {and especially to nurses, } who find the courage to turn towards, rather than away from suffering, to help heal our world. We honor you this Nurses Week!

Liz Sorensen Wessel

Photos:
2012, Sonoma CA-Hand of God
2011, Guatemala-corn is a sacred crop {click on photo to enlarge}