A WING AND A PRAYER "God Bless the Whole World, No Exceptions"

We celebrate the Incarnation all year long, as we look for God's gifts in people of other nationalities and traditions. It's often harder to see the gift in something or someone unfamiliar, so take time to search, and then appreciate what you find. We can look as well for the gifts in our own ancestors--and give thanks. Finally, let's be ready for opportunities to share those gifts. God needs them all! - p. 46

There are enough barriers in the world to separate peoples and nations. These barriers allow us to ignore the common tie that binds the planet: that we are ALL human. Christ became human, fully human, and in the Incarnation we are joined one to the other, regardless of race, gender, orientation, wealth/poverty, or educational background.

This became very evident to me when I had the opportunity to be an exchange student to Argentina. There is was, in another hemisphere, and I was shocked that language was the only difference. We had the same hopes, the same fears, the same frustrations, and we had so many miles and decades and even centuries of cultural differences. I am very thankful for the experience, and sing the praises of A.F.S. (American Field Service) for allowing me this watershed of understanding. Almi, Seamus and I have been blessed to have been able to host four very different students from all over the globe: from Roberto from Italy, Man Ho from China, Anya from Russia, and Stephane from Belgium. In addition to sharing their cultures with our family and enhancing our home life, each experience has also been a lesson in reminding us of how our similarities from culture to culture outweigh any differences. They've also reminded us that distance is the only thing that really separates peoples of different cultures and nationalities.

As ++Katherine begins this third unit, "A BILLION PEOPLE, A DOLLAR A DAY: Working for Justice and Peace," we are all reminded that what binds us is our common humanity, a humanity embraced by Jesus Christ. This understanding is our first step in understanding global peace and justice.

Who in this world challenges your notion of humanity? Who have you been able to dismiss because they can be perceived of as less human than yourself? Who cries out on this planet Earth to be seen as fully human, though many have turned their back and ignored their cries?