Catherine Meeks, Ph.D., is the retired Clara Carter Acree Distinguished Professor of Socio-Cultural Studies, an author, community and wellness activist, and midwife to the soul.
I have been blessed over the last few years to work with Dr. Meeks. I consider her a friend, a mentor, and a companion on the journey to bring forth healing and reconciliation. Here my interpretations of some of my favorite gems from Catherine:
• It’s about being faithful, being committed to each of us to being well.
• I am going to be an empowered person. The only person that can make me well is me.
• I have to keep asking myself Jesus’ question, “Do you want to be healed?”
• Be the change I want to see in the world.
• This is not easy work. We will fail at times, but we must not give up.
• There is never any reason to denigrate another human being. And this is what we have to teach. It is non-negotiable.
• Quoting Rabbi Heschel: “Some of us are guilty of some very bad things, but ALL of us are responsible.”
• Work for the day when no one needs to hate someone or feel superior to someone, and when we can all be as God created us.
Catherine often begins or ends her talks with some of my favorite words from John O’Donohue:
May I have the courage today
To live the life that I would love,
To postpone my dream no longer
But do at last what I came here for
And waste my heart on fear no more.
As we continue to engage God’s mission of the Beloved Community by living the Way of Love, may we embrace deeply the wisdom of Catherine Meeks, who truly is a midwife for our souls!
Source: Bishop Brian Prior – Midwife to the Soul