Common Ground

In an On Being interview with Krista Tippett, the Irish poet and peacemaker Pádraig Ó Tuama commented:

“I do love praying. Like ‘prier’ from French, ‘to ask.’ What I love about that word is it doesn’t require belief. It just requires recognition of need. And I think the recognition of need is something that brings us to a deep, common language about what it means to be human. If you’re not in the situation where you know need, well, then you’re lucky. But you will be…”

It’s true. We all know that need—every human being.

In this polarized world, where there are so many divisions, it is crucial that we find some common ground. If nothing else, it is in our shared humanity and our common recognition of need—need for healing, for forgiveness, for love—that we are reminded we truly are not all that different.

At the foot of the cross, we all stand on equal ground. The truth is, we all stand in need of God’s grace. And there is not one of us who is not seen in God’s eyes as a beloved child.

Many Christians hold that there is that of Christ in every person. One of my friends claims that her primary spiritual discipline is to look for that image in each and every person she meets. In looking for that image in others, we ultimately discover Christ also in us.

Let us pray:  We come before you this day, O God, recognizing our own need. In that need, we also recognize the needs of the world around us. We long for your healing, mercy, and grace. Work in us and through us, O God. May we be channels of your Spirit. In Christ’s name. Amen.