Miraculous Virtues
It is through fully living our experience
that gives the miraculous the power to change lives far beyond our own.
-Katie Mahon and Joan Luise Hill in The Miracle Collectors
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January, 2021
When the clock struck midnight signaling the arrival of a new year, we were filled with optimism and may have wished that all of our problems would magically disappear. Instead, the year has already held many challenges. This month Katie writes about finding reasons for hope, even when looking through the pandemic-focused lens of 2020. Amidst the current chaos, we look forward to a 2021 that brings healing to a weary nation, a bit of magic to the world, and the uncovering of miracles in your own lives.
Collecting Miracle Moments One Story at a Time.
Joan and Katie
A year ago, we were all blissfully ignorant of the tsunami about to descend upon us. Most of us have a feeling of “Good Riddance” to 2020 and have pinned our hopes on 2021 for the catastrophic wave to recede and leave behind the warm, sunny sands of normalcy. Grim as it was, 2020 is worth contemplating before moving on since it brought a unique and shared experience to the world, unprecedented in our lifetime. For me, it brought to life a favorite quote by C. K. Chesterton: “We are all in the same boat, in a stormy sea, and we owe each other a terrible loyalty.” This loyalty to each other, much as we endure the constant reminder that we are divided, highlighted the ways in which we are the same, the ways in which virtues most of us can applaud transcend our differences. In our forthcoming book, we devote an entire chapter to the idea that to live fully we must attach ourselves to a cause that is greater than ourselves, be it our country, our global community, or our planet. The sum is always greater than the parts. I can’t think of a better manifestation than the front line health care workers and first responders who risked, and in some cases sacrificed, their own lives to face a deadly virus every single day in order to show up for the sick and dying.
In cities across the world, these heroes were saluted in a nightly ritual of appreciation for their service. In NYC, hearing the clapping, whistling, pot-banging layer upon layer in high-rises across all five boroughs was a marvel to witness on the evening news and out our apartment window. A collective message of gratitude that not only said “Thank you,” but also, “we see you,” “we acknowledge what you are up against” and perhaps, most importantly, “you are not alone.” How great if we could carry this compassion past the current calamity to remind us we are capable of collaboration, connection and being on the same side, the human side of goodness where our better angels are waiting to take flight.
It gives me hope, a universal theological virtue tied to grace and the belief that we are inextricably linked to the Divine. It’s not just that we are no longer alone when we extend selfless care or appreciation to strangers, the human race itself has not been left alone. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks called hope an active virtue that requires courage; with the grace of God, courage to believe the best in us is possible. And so I hope and pray that 2021 ultimately sows grace and not division, that Covid-19 quickly becomes a concern of the past, and that we renew our appreciation for our family and friends and the ordinary gifts we once took for granted. I do believe, as we say in The Miracle Collectors that we pray because we have hope but I believe hope in itself is a prayer.
I leave you with a recent miracle story, offering a kaleidoscope of these virtues in action. It was early Christmas morning when James Wells, a Nashville police officer, helped to evacuate buildings around an RV packed with explosives. After clearing the area, he decided to head back toward the RV. At that moment he literally heard, “God tell me to turn around…” He did turn around and seconds later the RV exploded nearly knocking officer Wells off his feet and causing a temporary loss of hearing. A miracle in the midst of great destruction, a small light to guide us into 2021 with hope and gratitude leading the way forward. (Katie)
We are excited to share with you all that The Miracle Collectors, Uncovering Stories of Wonder, Joy, and Mystery is now available in hardcover, e-book and audiobook versions. We hope you find the message and stories in the book as uplifting as we do and we look forward to seeing your reviews and having you share it with your friends. As always, we welcome hearing your thoughts, comments, and especially your miracle stories on our blog page. Visit us on The Miracle Collectors website and share it with a friend and for musical inspiration check out The Miracle Collectors playlist on Spotify. Contact us to schedule a virtual appearance with your book group, church group, or other venue where spirited discussion and sharing is appreciated.
*Image from Henry Ford Health System