Beginning to Put Down Roots

And then there comes a time when the young person puts down roots. He commits himself to others either in a family or community, and together they discover how they can give life. From the ideal, he comes down to earth. He comes to see how, in searching too much on his own, he has helped to create division. In living daily with others, he discovers his own wounds and fundamental fears. He wants to find peace within himself, to be an instrument of peace and reconciliation in his own life, in his family, in the people around him, his country, his church, between churches and the world. Division, often founded on prejudice and fear, leads to injustice, war, hatred and death. Is there not a way towards unity and peace where each person, whatever his gifts, limitations and weakness can find his place and live? It is then that he discovers that the path to peace does not consist in climbing towards the light in search for power, recognition and greater and greater influence. The path to peace is in the descent towards people as they are with all their limitations and weaknesses.

- Jean Vanier, Our Journey Home, p. 247