Just a few words. Nothing more. But it’s enough to guide the whole day. They are published at midnight and by dawn they arrive via WhatsApp or email and “light up” the whole day. They express a thought from the Gospel or a universal value and motivate people to act, to engage, to look beyond their own occupations or worries.

A brilliant idea, simple and easy to share, conceived by Chiara Lubich in December 2001 to help those working with her at the Focolare International Centre to live the present moment. But as often happens, seeing how positive the idea and its effects were, it spread like ripples on water when a stone is thrown in, crossing borders, languages, cultures and languages.

In the years that followed, the founder of the Focolare often referred to this “password” and to the experiences it sparked in those who put it into practice. She would sometimes encourage people to keep going or offer a deeper meaning, like when she suggested silently adding to the daily thought the intention of living it “especially in contact with the brothers”. This marked a profound shift, not only in striving for personal perfection, but in constantly relating to those next to us, entering into their needs and making them recipients of our concrete love.

Gradually it grew and developed. Currently, the “password” recalls some aspect of the monthly Word of life or refers to the readings of the liturgy. It is translated into 23 languages. Some, when they forward it or publish it on social networks, add a personal reflection a suggestion for putting it into practice. Others illustrate it with an image or create a short video for YouTube. And there are even those who compose a short song every day. All means of communication and all social networks are useful for sharing it with friends and acquaintances, always gently asking first if they are interested in receiving it.

These are not empty words. On the contrary, they stimulate and motivate us to action, especially in our relationships with the environment and with the people we meet every day, as Marisa from Brazil said: “Today I was going to lecture at the university, even though at this time I don’t really feel like continuing that job. I am old enough to retire, but I missed out on some promotions and for the moment I have to work because my daughters still need my financial help. So I renew my ‘For You, Jesus’ every time I go to the university. Today’s thought is precisely: ‘fulfil our duties’”.

From Senegal, Don Christian wrote: “Thank you for the password. It helps me to nourish my spiritual life and to enlighten my relationship with God and with my brothers and sisters every day.” For Maria Teresa, from Argentina, receiving it every day is a response from God: “I work in the pastoral care of migrants and yesterday I accompanied one of them to the presentation of a book he wrote on “neuroconduction”. I felt it was important to be with him in these moments when he could share and help him develop his talents. It was a new and beautiful experience of unity with him and with the people who came and welcomed his lecture as a gift he had to offer. ”

These are just a few glimpses of the life that is generated in hundreds of people, or maybe even more, who, with or without a religious belief, wake up every morning with the commitment to live the few words of the “password”.

Carlos Mana
Photo: © Pixabay