“You see, the big
thing for me is to love reality and not live in the imagination, not
live in what could have been or what should have been or what can be,
and somewhere, to love reality and then discover that God is present.” ~ Jean Vanier, founder, L’Arche

Krista Tippett‘s bit sultry and handsomely intelligent voice beckons one to listen, grab her outstretched hand, and journey on a curious adventure. Problem is, I don’t listen to National Public Radio on Sunday afternoons. At least, that’s when this syndicated show airs in the Nashville market. So I’m only vaguely familiar with her show “On Being.” I recognize her mesmerizing voice and that she’s talking about matters of substance.  But since I’m channelling Donna Reid into my kitchen on Sunday afternoons now that Grace must carry her lunch to her new program, and hence, I’m batch-cooking lunches, dinner and breakfasts, Sunday, I was listening. And, what wonder, surprise and delight to have caught Tippett’s interview with Vanier.

Vanier founded L’Arche, originally one intentional community in France that integrated people with disAbilities. The first community blossomed into a worldwide movement. This interview was. PROFOUND. I’ve embedded the hour-long video interview, below. I’ll listen again next Sunday while cooking with Donna. The transcript, which is easy to scan for highlights and profundity, is beneath the video, along with just the audio and podcast.

Labeled a living saint, Vanier is humble, a stellar model of tremendous compassion, of living out his faith. He talks about the beauty of disAbilities, about aging, about death, knowing Mother Teresa, about angst, and struggle. Relish. It will be interesting to see whom among you will. I know people are busy. This is a lot. This is also important to anyone working with the disAbility community who is interested in long-term care and housing issues. And, it’s soul-feeding to those interested in spirituality and compassion…which, of course, are synonymous, whether or not we remember that….

The Wisdom of Tenderness from On Being on Vimeo.

Transcript: http://www.onbeing.org/program/wisdom-tenderness/transcript/1369#main_content

Audio/Podcast: http://www.onbeing.org/program/wisdom-tenderness/234/audio?embed=1

More (unedited footage, past interviews): http://www.onbeing.org/program/wisdom-tenderness/234