Monday, August 2, 2021

Although I am not what one would call a sports fan, the music of Vangelis with the image of the 1924 British Olympic team running on the beach is stirring. This year’s summer Olympics has been marred by the pandemic, but the stories of individual athletes still captures our imaginations.  The image of the Hmong community celebrating Sunisa Lee’s extraordinary performances shows the importance of community identity and support.

Many people have no memory of the Hmong and why they are in Minnesota.  This ethnic group lived in the mountainous region between Vietnam and Laos.  Groups were trained by the CIA before and during the American intervention.  As a result, groups were settled as refugees in the United States.  Community identity is important.

Community identity among athletes is also strong and important, Kanoa Igrarashi of Japan lost the gold to Brazilian Italo Perreira but translated for him in his interview. How a Japanese athlete knows Portuguese is beyond me but this kind of support shows the sense of community these athletes have. Building community even among rivals is a lesson that some politicians should learn.

Prayer for the Day 

We know, Holy Creator, that you have made people of all nations and races,

    But there are times we forget our common humanity;

We speak the words that recognize our relationship with each other,

    But often do not act as if it really matters in our lives.

Open our eyes, expand our vision, touch our hearts, broaden our minds

    So we recognize the bond we share with one another.

In the name of the One who shows us the way,

    Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.

Thoughts for the Day

Our common humanity is more important than the things that divide us.

            Mairead Corrigan Maguire, peace activist, Northern Ireland

History cannot give us a program for the future but it can give us a fuller understanding of ourselves, and of our common humanity, so we can better face the future.

            Robert Penn Warren, American poet (1905-1989)

There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male or female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.

            St. Paul, Galatians 3:28