Can You Dare to Be a Pebble?
At a celebration of the Eucharist recently I was paying less than strict attention to the words of the first reading until I heard “and women of some influence”… who “threw in their lot” to help Paul and Silas (Acts 17:3-4). I wondered who these women were and how did they influence? Who did they influence? And how did they find the courage to use that influence to promote this startling new message? I think we are all capable of being women of some influence – even when we think we make no difference at all. An act of kindness, paying attention to one who rarely receives any, the risk of speaking truth, the commitment to study, the courage to face fear and self-doubt – those are acts of influence like the tossing of a pebble in a pond. As national and world news fills us with painful words and images, we are challenged to use our influence for the good. As Rilke wrote, “I live my life in ever widening circles that reach out across t...