The creation account reveals God’s desire for the earth to be filled with a great diversity of people. Every male and female born since the beginning of time was created in the image of God. This basic truth of scripture teaches me that each of us are of the same bloodline and genetic code. Our adversary, however, tries to use our diversity as a means to divide us with the weapon of prejudice. It is past time that we as the body of Christ use our words and actions as an agent of unity and healing. As followers of Christ, we are called to be ambassadors of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:11-21). 

It is possible to be more in love with the idea of reconciliation than it is to actually engage in the actual work of reconciliation.  The times that we live in require us to stay focused and determined to remove the barriers that divide us.  May we live out the words found in this Franciscan Benediction:

“May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships so that you may live deep within your heart. 

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in the world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done to bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.”

God’s design for us is that we be channels of grace, mercy, love and truth whereby these blessings can flow through us and touch the lives of everyone.  This is a goal worthy of achieving, and prejudice is a battle well worth fighting! I am ready. How about you?