1 Sep 2026 | Idea of the Month
They call it the “platinum Rule”. Everyone seems to know about the Golden Rule – “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” – and it is precisely from this maxim that what is, arguably, a more universal idea has developed. This is “try to understand what the other person would like done to them and act accordingly”.
Maybe it is through such actions that we can recognise one of the most genuine forms of love. This is expressed when we meet one another as equals, each with our own strengths and vulnerabilities, in a relationship of reciprocity and respect and recognising the value and dignity of every life, even in the most difficult circumstances. It is a matter of never ignoring the people around us but being very attentive to them.
Chiara Lubich said, “True love for one’s neighbour does no harm.” [1] Indeed, if we love, we avoid every form of hurt and harm, both to ourselves and to our brothers and sisters. The first step in loving one’s neighbour is exactly this. However, to love fully, we need also to be creative in doing so. Pope Francis reminded us that it is not enough simply to refrain from harming our neighbour; we must choose to do good and take advantage of every opportunity that arises.
We know that none of us can give what we do not have, and it is only by recognising the love we have already received that we can fully share our gifts with others.
How, then, can we put this ‘Idea of the Month’ into practice? Let us put love at the centre of our lives. Let us love others in practical ways, with creativity and imagination, and above all with deep listening that comes ‘from within’, from the heart.
Doris, a young woman from Scotland, tells us: ‘During our regular visits to a homeless shelter, I step into a world very different from my own. I know that what I feel doesn’t matter so much; what matters is loving. One day, a man whose face was marked with deep sadness confided in me that he felt ready to end it all, that he even wanted to die. I simply sat and listened to him and then we shared a sandwich and a coffee. I realised that listening and being there for him was already a way of showing love. When it was time to leave, he gave me a big hug and smiled, saying that what we were doing was very important, not just for him, but for everyone there. I felt the incredible power of love. Perhaps I didn’t ‘save’ him, but his gratitude filled me with joy, and that, in itself, is very powerful.”
[1] C. Lubich, Word of Life, September 1993
Photo © Myriams fotos – Pixabay
THE IDEA OF THE MONTH is currently produced by the Focolare Movement’s “Centre for Dialogue with People of Non religious Beliefs”. It is an initiative that began in 2014 in Uruguay to share with non-believing friends the values of the Word of Life, i.e. the phrase from Scripture that members of the Movement strive to put into practice in their daily lives. Currently, THE IDEA OF THE MONTH is translated into 12 languages and distributed in more than 25 countries, with adaptations of the text according to different cultural sensitivities. www. dialogue4unity.focolare.org
1 Aug 2026 | Idea of the Month
The great scientist Louis Pasteur once said: “To know how to wonder and question is the first step the mind can take towards discovery.”
Luigi Ballerini, a children’s author and psychotherapist, also reminds us of this and his work is the inspiration that lies behind this article. [1] He wrote: “After all, wonder is nothing more than a form of trust […] It is the idea that there is still a world to discover, to understand and to encounter. This explains why the loss of wonder is so serious: without it, life becomes flat, reduced to the repeatedly gazing wearily and no longer seeing anything. […] If we lose our capacity for wonder, we do not become more realistic or efficient; we simply lose the chance to be stirred by reality, to recognise that we ourselves can continue to change and improve through what we encounter.”
A sense of wonder reminds us that not everything depends on us. It is an invitation to embrace each moment with an open heart, to recognise what life is trying to tell us and to be grateful for it. A sense of wonder evokes amazement – that extraordinary ability children have to open themselves up to life and relationships; these dimensions are fundamental to the human condition and for millenia have been key to the adventurous development of human thought. They teach us to step back from our own perspective in order to reach out to the people who may be waiting for us, who share our daily struggles and our hopes.
Today, the challenges posed by social media and artificial intelligence seem to be stifling this capacity for awe and wonder: have we already seen everything there is to see? Above all: are we becoming desensitised to everything that happens? It is often the small and seemingly insignificant actions that are capable of rekindling that sense of wonder.
To be amazed means keeping alive the capacity to marvel, to learn from new experiences and to recognise the value of the people and situations we encounter, without resigning ourselves to indifference when we meet with pain and suffering. It means having the courage to look at reality with attention and openness, putting ourselves in others’ shoes and offering a listening ear and support without judgement. It also means caring for those who are living through important or complex situations.
There are so many everyday stories of hardship, of illness, of lives that seem lost or meaningless: yet there is always a chance that the ending has not yet been written. In families and in care settings, we are often amazed to see signs of the most powerful revolution of all – that of a greater love that produces outcomes that are very different from what is expected. Let us allow ourselves to be vulnerable and humble and so be amazed by what happens. Let us share these moments of awe and wonder with other people and so impact upon our relationships and society in the future.
THE IDEA OF THE MONTH is currently produced by the Focolare Movement’s “Centre for Dialogue with People of Nonreligious Beliefs”. It is an initiative that began in 2014 in Uruguay to share with non-believing friends the values of the Word of Life, i.e. the phrase from Scripture that members of the Movement strive to put into practice in their daily lives. Currently, THE IDEA OF THE MONTH is translated into 12 languages and distributed in more than 25 countries, with adaptations of the text according to different cultural sensitivities. www. dialogue4unity.focolare.org
[1] https://www.avvenire.it/idee–e–commenti/lasciarsi–stupire–dalla–meraviglia–quello–che–i–ragazzi–ci–ricordano_109483)
Photo © Srinivas-Bandari-Unsplash
1 Jul 2026 | Idea of the Month
If we are attentive to the world around us, we realise that it is often the clamour of different views and opinions that prevails. Everyone wants to have their say and there is a proliferation of forums for debate in which it seems as though everyone knows everything. However, we do not always find genuine wisdom there; on the contrary, there is sometimes a risk of encouraging superficiality, ignorance and gradual cultural impoverishment.
Faced with this scenario, what truly deserves to be heard? There are words and Words. What distinguishes them? We can call them Words with a capital W — whether written or spoken — which, once embraced, have the power to transform us. These are words that express wisdom because they offer a key to understanding human existence, the desire for transcendence and the relationships that bind human beings to one another and to nature. As Rabindranath Tagore, the Indian poet, philosopher and writer, writes: ‘Words that come from the heart, go to the heart.
The Word does not belong to a particular era, place or religion. Xavier Melloni, an anthropologist and theologian observes that for some people, the Word is inspired by the Holy Spirit whilst for others it is the fruit of the enlightenment of the conscience. But how can we recognise the Word that conveys value?
‘We might say that the Word enables us to open up to others, to give of ourselves, and pausing in silence, go beyond our own being towards an always greater depth. The true Word generates life[2].
This is how the Word, understood in the broadest sense, frees us from the constraints to which we are subjected; it does not depend on hidden interests and it is not coercive but it becomes idolatry when it ceases to be wise.
Nonetheless, the Word may have a different resonance within each of us, even when it is expressed in the same way. How we receive it is closely linked to whatever we are experiencing and our stage of life. Superficiality, excessive self-suffiiciency and indifference are obstacles that prevent the Word from bearing fruit within us and, through us, in others.
The wise Word becomes a fixed point of reference on the journey through life. Sometimes it offers us answers; sometimes it raises new questions; it allows us to view things from a different perspective and to open up to dimensions of reality that we were previously unable to perceive. The Word sets us free and leads us to experience what is truly essential to our existence. Only the authentic Word, the Word of wisdom, can transform the way we think and act. When we welcome and live by it, it helps us to give greater meaning to our lives, to live deeper relationships and to build a more humane and fraternal society together.
Jordi shares his thoughts: ‘Every encounter with the Word is personal and intimate. My encounter with the Word came after years centred on work and technology. Reading books from various fields – biographies, novels, philosophy, etc. – reawakened in me a search for wisdom to make sense of life’s big questions, to sustain my existence and to understand why the Word manifests itself in such diverse and seemingly contradictory forms. On this journey, I came to know the wisdom of Chiara Lubich, expressed in a fresh and vibrant reinterpretation of the Gospel and borne out by an inspiring way of life. Despite its confessional nature, this wisdom has proved capable of resonating with people who, like me, have no religious convictions, and of drawing them into the path of fraternity.’
This month, let us nourish ourselves with words of wisdom, make them our own and transform them into life. And, if we have the opportunity, let us share the fruits they bear with those who, like us, are on a journey. In this way, we will build together a more humane and meaningful way of living together.
Photo © James Oladujoye – Pixabay
[1] This expression is taken from an address given by Jordi Illa at the International Conference for People of Non-
Religious Convictions, 2013, entitled “The Word.”
[2]Xavier Melloni, Vers un temps de síntesi, FragmentaEditorial, Barcelona, 2011, p. 55.
THE IDEA OF THE MONTH is currently produced by the Focolare Movement’s “Centre for Dialogue with People of Non religious Beliefs”. It is an initiative that began in 2014 in Uruguay to share with non-believing friends the values of the Word of Life, i.e. the phrase from Scripture that members of the Movement strive to put into practice in their daily lives. Attualmente L’IDEA DEL MESE viene tradotta in 12 lingue e distribuita in più di 25 paesi, con adattamenti del testo alle diverse sensibilità culturali.
dialogue4unity.focolare.org
1 Jun 2026 | Idea of the Month
Are we content to live in a world dominated by ‘the law of the jungle’ where we must crush or overpower others in order to succeed? Are we happy living in a world where we view other people with suspicion and, for fear of losing what we have, erect physical or invisible barriers around us? Do we resign ourselves to letting the days pass by without hope and without finding meaning in what we experience? Furthermore, do we even ask ourselves if this is
really living life to the full?
In a complex and uncertain world, we have the opportunity to be bearers of a new way of understanding life. But to do so, we must first experience it. How can we do this?
Through no choice of our own, we have been born with certain abilities or talents that have been freely given to us. Some people find it easy to communicate, others havean artistic and creative capacity and we all possess a certain intelligence. In addition, life may have given us unique opportunities to develop these talents. The question is what do we do with all this? We have two options: we can either use these abilities solely for our own personal benefit, enjoying what they offer us, or we can put them at the service of others and share them.
Perhaps the second option will not guarantee immediate financial gain — which today seems to be the world’s main driving force — but it will undoubtedly allow us to help build a different way of life and contribute to creating a world in which competition is not an end in itself but a means to improve and grow together.
This will not be an external reality but a process that begins in our daily relationships and in the choices that determine our behaviour. People who live in this way demonstrate that change is possible. Wherever they are, they bring a new paradigm into view and show that this change is near.
Let’s act humbly and share who we are and what we have. We could accompany and offer affection to those who need warmth and closeness, thus alleviating their suffering. Let’s practise those values that can be a driving force for change and contribute to a society founded on justice, respect, peace and the dignity of all people; a society in which forgiveness and reconciliation are promoted and the good of all is sought.
We are stronger and more credible if we act together, especially if we remain steadfast in our choices. Let our actions not seek recognition, nor be based on calculation or self-interest. Transformation is slow, sometimes imperceptible, but if we persevere, change will come about, grow and take root. The future is beginning to take shape.
THE IDEA OF THE MONTH is currently produced by the Focolare Movement’s “Centre for Dialogue with People of Non religious Beliefs”. It is an initiative that began in 2014 in Uruguay to share with non-believing friends the values of the Word of Life, i.e. the phrase from Scripture that members of the Movement strive to put into practice in their daily lives. Currently, THE IDEA OF THE MONTH is translated into 12 languages and distributed in more than 25 countries, with adaptations of the text according to different cultural sensitivities. dialogue4unity.focolare.org
Photo: 小鱼 余 en Pixabay
1 Apr 2026 | Idea of the Month
The night is a symbol of darkness and of the unknown. It means the absence of that light which cannot be found without a lamp and a companion who travels beside us on our journey through life.
The night envelops our wounded and violated planet that is marked by massacre and by war motivated by the lust for power and money.
Night is what millions of people experience, people who no longer have a voice to cry out against injustice and oppression.
What about us? How can we continue to believe in a renewed and better world which we do not see developing as we had expected? How can we recognise the signs of all that is good in our everyday relationships? These are questions to which we do not always know how to respond. Nonetheless, although it is difficult to discern the answers, they urge us to look for a companion who “walks” alongside us and to recognise the universal need for a spirituality that is inherent in human nature and that we experience if we live out mutual love with those around us.
Sometimes there are brief flashes of light that shine out in the most unexpected ways – even through social media – and they light up the night. One example is the story of Chiara Badano and Sara Cornelio, two friends whose relationship spansacross time.
Sara, born in 1998, ‘met’ Chiara, so to speak, who had died eight years before aged 19, when she was little more than a child. She heard about Chiara during one of the many meetings during which people spoke of her extraordinary life. Sara began to regard her as a friend, a companion in her dreams, a confidante and a strong presence. Sara had a captivating personality: she sang, danced, studied and had many friends. At the same time, however, she lived with the daily reality of a congenital condition that – literally and not just figuratively – ‘took her breath away’. Nevertheless, she was certain that “love conquers all” and this was the subject of an essay she wrote in the sixth form. She was fortunate to receive a lung transplant, and over time, became a gift for other people by bearing witness to this certainty through books, school visits, songs, short films, a blog and a theatrical performance.
Her wonderful family lived an experience of falling in love and of love itself. Her death in 2022, when she was not even 24 years of age, left all those who loved her – even those who had simply come across her on Facebook – feeling devastated and alone.
During her time on this earth, Sara regarded Chiara as a friend who was always close, accompanying, encouraging and supporting her and who ‘revealed’ herself in the most unexpected moments and circumstances. She was a friend who knew how to ‘be there’ in moments of pure joy as well as in the pain and loneliness of a hospital or an intensive care unit.
In those final moments of solitude and weakness, Chiara’s presence became mysteriously silent, almost elusive, yet perhaps all the more authentic for it, and destined to become a friendship ‘forever’.
Chiara and Sara: unique, just as every story is unique.
Photo : © Kanenori – Pixabay
1 Mar 2026 | Idea of the Month
There is a proverb that says, “Only those who fall can get up again”. This is seen very clearly in the tenderness and courage of young children as they begin to develop their skills. How much willpower they show as they take their first uncertain steps, getting up again and again with determination, until they gain confidence and begin to move with increasing assurance… the journey of life!
As we grow up and face various challenges and problems, getting back up each time becomes more difficult. Life’s trials weigh us down and sometimes we are held back and lose confidence when we encounter people who are different from us or do not think in the same way as we do. Willpower and even a sincere desire to be consistent with our values are not always enough. In these difficult moments, being able to count on a helping hand can give us the impetus to start again without fear. It can create a sense of silence in the depths of our consciences and allows us to be “renewed and whole” within.
Chiara Lubich wrote: “Is there anyone who does not go through trials and challenges? They take the form of failure, poverty, depression, doubt and temptation […] The materialistic and individualistic society that surrounds us is frightening, with its wars, violence and injustice…“. Chiara’s own life was a witness to this. It is precisely in those moments of darkness and struggle that it is important to find the strength to ”start again,“ and confidently say, ”you can still hope for everything.”We need to begin with ourselves[1].
This is what Emilia from Terra Santa managed to do. She works as a manager in a government office where there are a number of Jews, Christians, Muslims and Druze. After October 7, 2023, she understood that love was the only possible response to the great pain everyone was feeling and she began to love everyone around her with a great sense of commitment. In particular, she listened to others so that she could welcome them into her heart. She listened with an attitude of love and humility and understood whatever others people were saying, whether they were Arab or Jewish. As a result, a large number of her colleagues have become so open with each other that they can talk freely about the situation. In turn, this has encouraged other workers to express their fears and struggles and the group has remained peaceful and united[2].
There are many stories of wounded communities that do not give up and that find strength each day in the reciprocal sharing of all they have, believing that hatred cannot have the last word.
Even if we will not be the ones to see the fruits of our commitment, every time we get back up, we contribute to forming “new people” because, as Bonhoeffer said from prison shortly before his death, “For those who are responsible, the ultimate question is not how I can heroically get through this affair, but what the life of the coming generation will be like.”
Photo © Pexels-Allan Mas
[1] Gen Rosso song “Start again”
[2] Experience shared at “One Human Family” Conference, Castel Gandolfo, June 2024
