Half Full

On April 30, 2016, Catholic peacemaker and activist Daniel Berrigan entered life eternal. He was a teacher and friend to many in the Sojourners community. Read more reflections on Dan's life and legacy in the August 2016 issue. 

AFTER CLASS we would go to the cafeteria. The first time we went, Dan asked if I’d want to split a coffee with him. Sure. And it became a quiet tradition. A ritual. Either he would get it or I would, but we’d always split it. And as we sat around the table and resurrected resistance, the coffee cup would go back and forth between us. It was like the conversation, a constant invitation.

Hmmm, interesting, delicious. Have this. Have some more.

Dan always wanted to hear our ideas. Sip. Smile. Question. The cup would be in front of me again. Accompanied by a challenge like “Well, instead of wondering why most of these students don’t protest, tell me about why you do.”

I needed coffee for those questions. And he was always quick to pass the cup. It was like a generosity battle. Each intent on serving the other. He would take a sip and yet the coffee would barely go away.

Sip. Smile. Mind-opening idea. Question.

We danced with the cup. And with the world. And with each other. It was always the best half cup of coffee I had ever had. So full of hard inquiries and generous love. Our dialogue laid bare the empty promise of our violent society and yet, in communion with each other, our cup was always half full. Sometimes when I’m alone, I look down at a half-drunk cup of coffee and wonder, what would he ask now?