Students discuss the Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage at 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Sandi Villarreal)
If you could stand in someone else's shoes... Hear what they hear. See what they see. Feel what they feel. Would you treat them differently? A video that speaks to the connections we all need.
Phil Lakin (@phlakin) of Tulsa, Oklahoma watched and responded with this observation:
It's unlikely you will have dry eyes after watching this. If I ever had a superpower, I would want the power to heal.
And on our Facebook page, Minneapolitan Krista Pearson wondered:
Beautiful indeed and so much sadness. Holding the paradoxes of life in balance can be a challenge (at least for the sensitive). Is it possible to empathize too much?
I ask you. What would be your reply? Rejoin her on the discussion thread.
Laura Rushing's photo paired with these words from John O'Donohue's Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom rippled throughout our social spheres this week:
"All the possibilities of your human destiny are asleep in your soul. You are here to realize and honor these possibilities. When love comes in to your life, unrecognized dimensions of your destiny awaken and blossom and grow. Possibility is the secret heart of time."
And, this past Friday on International Women's Day, an exploration of notions of womanhood through the great lyrical voices of Rilke, Whitman, and de Chardin in remembrance of guest contributor A.E. Lefton's mother:
"I believe women will hold our heads higher, despite the heaviness of our crowns, once we begin to see ourselves the way Rilke and Whitman saw us — but grounded in the good earth of our own lives."
These sketchnotes capture Fr. Greg Boyle's ideas about kinship and service.
"The day will never come when I am as holy as the people I serve."
If you haven't had a chance, sit down with them while listening to Krista's interview with the Jesuit priest. See what you hear differently as you peruse these visual notes. Tell us about it.
By bike?!
"I love that Lyon's Cardinal rides bike to Vatican. I'd love it more if he traded briefcase for basket with baguette."
Chicago Tribune religion reporter Manya Brachear (@tribseeker) is soaking in the events of the papal conclave that is scheduled to begin this Tuesday, now that the final cardinal has arrived. Her Twitter feed is a rich flow of serious reporting and whimsical asides. She's definitely worth following.
And Ms. Brachear's tweet just might be the answer to Krista's (@kristatippett) question in response to 
suggestions from listeners after last week's show:
Our listeners seem insistent that Fr. Greg Boyle should be the next pope. Now how to reach the cardinals...
There was some fun to be had. Jonathan Fields (@jonathanfields) from New York City chimed in:
Wondering if the Vatican would be down with Homeboy Industries Italia. ;-)
And Cincinnati's own Todd Henry (@toddhenry) pounced on Krista's Berlusconi reference with this clever retort:
If Fr. Boyle could sway Berlusconi, it may count as his first miracle needed for sainthood.
Read the entire thread and weigh in with your playful thoughts if you like.
Looking for more inspirational words and images to buoy your weekend? Here are a couple that people shared and spread across the Internet, starting with this passage from Neil Gaiman's Instructions and Eric Vondy's stylized scene:
"Remember your name. Do not lose hope — what you seek will be found. Trust ghosts. Trust those that you have helped to help you in their turn. Trust dreams. Trust your heart and trust your story."
Or these inspiring words from Nelson Mandela:
"I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one's head pointed toward the sun, one's feet moving forward.
There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lay defeat and death."
As I mentioned in last week's capsule, Krista interviewed Congressman John Lewis this past Saturday during the Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage in Alabama. We spoke to so many good people, witnessed so many 
profound moments. A few observations from Krista on the pilgrimage road:
In D.C. today. To Alabama tomorrow for Civil Rights pilgrimage. Will tweet as possible. Moved to be doing this, and with my son.
At U of AL. Just experienced sister of Vivian Malone with daughter of George Wallace, who barred Vivian and James Hood in 1963. Redemptive.
In Birmingham, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, standing on Holy Ground. Transformative and simply not tweetable.
Heading to Selma to retrace the march, and Betty Mae Fikes is on this bus. #humbling #amazing
This little light of mine. I'm going to let it shine. -Harry Dixon Loes
A magnificent time with @repjohnlewis on Civil Rights Pilgrimage. Mind- opening, heart-expanding. And the singing. Show to come at Easter.
"Nonviolence is confrontational. It is not silent, but creatively maladjusted to the problems and conditions of this world." John Lewis
May we all be "creatively maladjusted" to the problems of this world. (Inspired by John Lewis and A.J. Heschel)
I'm relishing the idea that Krista's interview with Congressman Lewis will be aired on Easter weekend. It's the Easter message embodied. Look for the podcast on Thursday, March 28th!
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