All actual life is encounter

Martin Buber wrote, “The concentration and fusion into a whole being can never be accomplished by me, can never be accomplished without me. I require a You to become; becoming I, I say You. All actual life is encounter.” The encounters we have with one another are constant, our faith practice is to engage in them. Most often we don’t. The unhappiness of the world is a result of our refusal to acknowledge the encounters we have everyday. We have a hard time looking at each other in the eyes, especially when we argue. Stories call out to us from people living around the world, around our city, from the seat next to us. Stories call out from people carrying something so heavy but they don’t know how to share it. See me, hear me, respect me, love me. Will we be that mooring in the world for those who are adrift? Will we be available for those who seek to be seen?