We had the chance to have a Canadian representant of our focolare community, Mostafa El-Diwany from Laval (QC). We see him here with our President Margaret Karram
For the complete article click HERE
Here the whole poem of Mostafa
From Dialogue to Unity
A call arose from folds of time forgone;
And yet, it resonates until these days.
To its spirit it hopes that we hold on
And cross sees of turmoil until safe bays.
Once a whispering plea, it has become
A ringing bell aloud at times of war.
It’s been pulsing with hearts whose murmurs hum:
« That they all may be one » joyful ashore.
We hear again this call in this moment
As it echoes through radiant halls of time.
Now while divisions rise in a torrent,
Dialogue is the ark in which to climb.
The way onto this vessel is silence,
To open not only your mind but hearts
Must be set open by loving patience.
This is where our unity’s tale starts.
Ego must be discarded for it proves
An impediment to every discourse.
It ignites fear and readily disproves.
It lies, ridicules, attacks and distorts.
I must at first pause my urge to respond
And let you deliver thought and meaning.
If content, we could move to steps beyond.
Dialogue’s core is thus deep listening.
To listen though I must first recognize
Your dignity and the worth of your view.
Respect is hence on what our bond relies
And love is the seed from which respect grew.
Let us then develop true compassion
And live by the golden rule at each turn.
How can I speak with you in a fashion
That would cause me pain if done in return?
Because God who created “the other”
Also created you in His Image.
The divine spark laid in our first father
In us radiates, and none can damage.
I must in you then perceive The Divine
And I also must let Him Shine through me.
So our dialogue is none other than
A meeting for signs of God Almighty.
Dialogue is the tool by which one can
Turn “the other” into one’s loved brother.
No longer matter colour, creed or clan;
Sanctified are all and through one mother.
That call from Jesus’s ultimate prayer
Resonates till this day with sheer wisdom.
And if we are to that call witness bear:
Dialogue’s the road; unity: God’s Kingdom!
Search no more for hope for it must be made.
Hope is an action born from tears and love.
We must act now. Our zeal must never fade.
Our unity is peace’s flying dove.
We must act now for children’s gaze is tied
“Over the mountain from where help will come.”
We must free our dove so it may glide
Over the horizon to rescue them.
Mostafa El-Diwany
Centro Mariapoli, Castel Gandolfo, Rome, 31/5/2024