The silent meditation lasted almost twenty minutes. Franjcis noticed a few of the Brothers beginning to fidget and otherwise show their growing discomfort. He stood up and began to walk slowly around the circles. In front of each Brother, he stopped and placed both hands gently but firmly on both shoulders while looking solidly into their eyes. Only when he had given darshan to each Brother did he speak:

“I see no dissent to Brother Sebastian's choices. If any of you wants to add to his discernment, speak now.”

No one spoke, so Francis continued, “I am taking it that we are all of one mind, then.”

Someone in the outer circle began humming a familiar tune. Soon all the Brothers had joined in. Now, they were singing the words softly:

“We are One in The Spirit,
We are One in The Lord.

We are One in The Spirit,
We are One in The Lord.

And we pray that All Unity
May one day be restored.

And they will know we are Brothers
by Our Love, By our Love.

Yes, they will know we are Brothers by our Love.”

(to be continuing)