We have seen what an earthquake can do with the upending of many structures in Turkey
and Syria.
According to Richard Rohr, God feels like an earthquake at times, in that our encounter with
God can shake the ground under our feet and cause us to give up what we thought was
essential for our security. The security that God wants to give us is in the unwavering love
God has for us. God gives us love that will always be there for us if we call on God’s name.
In the corner of fourth and Walnut in the downtown area of the city of Louisville, KY, Thomas
Merton experienced an “earthquake” that changed his life forever. He began to see a divine
spark in all of the people passing by. They were no longer strangers; but at their core, they
were all grounded in the divine. As he would later say on the last day of his life to a group of
Buddhists, “We are all one, we only have not recognized it yet.”
Maybe God wants to shake us up not to label people into types or groups but to see at a deep
level the divine spark on all of us.

• Have you experienced events in your life that have shaken your faith?

• Have you searched for the divine spark in people even in those who you might
consider your enemies?

• Have you become aware of the divine spark within you?

O God, help me experience your presence in everyone including myself.