The Beginning of Life

Today's "Daily Thought from Jean Vanier" is too lovely for me not to share:

The life that begins when a child is conceived is a powerful reality, hidden in that first cell. This life is not just a physical thing, allowing the growth of the tiny body with all its organs, but also something psychological and spiritual. The power of life hidden in the body pushes the tiny child out of the womb of his mother and into her arms, and invites him to enjoy his parents love, to advance through life, to acquire knowledge, to be independent of his parents, to love others, to open himself to the world, to create and procreate.

There are a number of life forces working along side each other, one to form the body, one to create relationships, and another to develop knowledge and creativity. All is united. All is one, contained in that life hidden in the first cell. It is at the root of all movement and all physical growth, but also of all relationships, all growth in knowledge, all spiritual activity.

- Jean Vanier, Our Journey Home, p. 140