I read somewhere that the first interfaith service day did not go very well....they were a very proud people of one language, one religion, and one identity, who thought themselves so great and so worthy that to prove their greatness to God and to the world, they endeavored to build a tower to the heavens. As an opportunity and a test for their greatness, God gave them a diversity of languages and customs. But the challenge of diversity was very hard for this proud people. They were always speaking and never listening, and they were quarreling and waving their hands in strange ways. And because they were a proud people, always speaking and never listening, and waving their hands in strange ways, they never completed the tower, but ran away from each other, scattering themselves over the earth.
Some believe this was God’s way of crushing and dividing them. But I believe diversity is God’s invitation toward humility, intimate community, and a loving greatness. True greatness is not measured by our ability to build a tower, nor is it found by our ability to look the same, think the same, or act the same. True greatness is found in our ability to learn from and care for one another.
It was never about the tower at all. :)
Interfaith service day is a celebration of this diversity, aligning us with God’s intention, that we might serve and inspire one another toward greatness of spirit and humility of heart.
Join me then, on Thursday, August 8th, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. on the New Haven Green across from the library.
No need to sign up, for the buses are ready, the pizza truck is ordered, we have seven service projects, twenty-two visitors from Israel and Palestine, and a diversity of volunteers, each one of you, are part of God’s creation.
Come and join us. Call me with questions, all are welcome,
Bruce A. Barrett
Founder, IWagePeace.Org 203 710-5675 cell.
Tell your friends that we need artists to help us paint this 50 foot mural of Abraham and Sarah sharing an abundance with their family.
