I'm just remembering a fond little memory from the Easter pot luck that we were invited to by some dear friends. It's funny how sometimes a gesture done spontaneously could lodge itself in your heart.We know, of course, that almost everyone in the group is Christian. We've been to their parties previously and everybody gathers together in a circle around the heavily laden, lavish, mouth watering table for a prayer. The prayer is always a blessing of friendship and happiness for everybody before we dig in and we're happy to participate.
This time, our friend's son gave the prayer. It started in the usual way but somewhere in the middle he interjected something that made my ears and heart prick up. I don't remember the exact words, but he said something beautiful in the lines of, "We also ask blessings for those of us who may not be of the same faith and wish them health and happiness."
I really liked that. I mentioned it to Art on the way home because I figured he missed it. He hadn't and it made him smile to remember.
It made me happy to hear tolerance, respect and kindness in the next generation. There's hope for the future if the next generation can be as dedicated to his own religion, but welcoming of others as my friend's son.
Yes, there is hope.
What can I say? It's nice that you were "included" but still, there must be a better way.
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived at Heifer Ranch in Arkansas, all the meal blessings etc. were very Christian; but I never felt excluded because Jews are just used to being a minority, I guess.
But in religiously-mixed Hawaii I would expect people to already and always be sensitive to differences.
Here in Jerusalem ... at yesterday's ANZAC Day commemoration every prayer, poem, psalm, and music was appropriate and acceptable to both the Christians and the Jews present.
The message was strong and moving and lost nothing for leaving out, for example, the Lord's Prayer that was recited at last year's ANZAC Day.
What a marvelous young man. I do hope that is a sign of how the next generation is thinking. I agree, that is a sign for hope.
ReplyDeleteI think the younger generation (most of them anyway) are much more tolerant than their parents. They have grown up in a global village, with technology giving them a glimpse into so many different approaches to religion and life in general.
ReplyDeleteI think this is something that young people may do much better than many older ones.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jeanie, I, too, think this is something that young people may do much better than older ones. I had a mixed race marriage in the 60s so I am always so happy to hear stories like this. Have a wonderful day, Kay!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
Heartwarming:-)
ReplyDeletesigh..lovely
ReplyDeletevery considerate.
ReplyDeleteSomething goofy is going on with Blogger lately. When I click on COMMENTS, it gives me a different box. When I click on it again, the comment box appears. Sheesh!
ReplyDeleteThis is what Gigi wrote:
Gigi:Kay,
When I tried to send my comment, I was taken to a page where Blogger told me to set up a new blog. This happened at other blog.spot sites, also.
So, here's what I wrote:
Your friend's son must already be in his 30s, right? Hardly a kid! That inclusion of non-Christians showed his love and desire for peace among all faiths. It's too bad that isn't the case for the world at large.
gigi.
I am looking forward to the day when religion is not an issue. We have had such an upsurge of religious activity in my lifetime. Mostly, I just ignore it, but I don't enjoy the manifestations of faith I see everywhere these days, from prayers at public meetings to bumper stickers for Jesus. I think it is bad taste.
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't like the idea of "tolerance" for my religious views either, because that is condescending.
Minority opinion, I know.
That was very touching. I wish more people were like that and able to open themselves to differing views.
ReplyDeletewhat a thoughtful loving prayer...
ReplyDeleteI think this young man is indeed a very thoughtful person. I also the younger generation is much more tolerant and inclusive. This is so refreshing.
ReplyDeleteFirst, Blogger has been acting weird with me, too. Yesterday I could read your post only by going to your home page, not by going, as usual, to your most recent post. When I tried to leave comments for both you and Linda Reeder, Blogger wouldn't let me!
ReplyDeleteSecond, this young man is open-minded. I've always had a hard time believing there is only one "correct" religion.
What a lovely young man and a real credit to his parents.
ReplyDeleteI've had a problem leaving comments on other blogs that I have been going to for quite a while and never had a problem before. Thankfully, that isn't the case here.
I like to think "tolerance" and "tolerate" mean two different things. Tolerance is positive, and tolerate (as in "put up with") is negative.
ReplyDeleteThis young man sounds delightful. I wish him well, and hope there are more like him.
My husband was born Jewish, although he now says he is "culturally Jewish" because he says he is an atheist.
One day he asked me: "What do you pray for at your church?" and I said: "Peace, most of the time, and sometimes for friends and family who are sick."
He was surprised, and pleased, to find out we didn't want to try to convert him, or reform him, or make him into one of us.
As for Blogger, for some time now, when I try to comment, I get a message saying my computer has cookies blocked. So I try again, and I get the comment box. Too silly.
— K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
Open-mindedness in anyone is a good thing and in the young, it's a blessing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet prayer.
ReplyDeleteI am so used to dining in mixed faith groups that I tend to eliminate the blessing, but this is indeed a better way. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAh, such hope! More adults need to learn a lesson from this young man. So often many who claim to be Christians are so intolerant. Thank you for writing about this!
ReplyDeleteI think that the older generations prayers in previous years probably had the same good feelings, but its very special that the young man voiced the sentiment.
ReplyDelete