麻豆约拍

Good morning. When the United Nations was formed on this day in 1945, it set out its purpose in brave and simple terms: 鈥榃e the people of the United Nations are determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war鈥�. There have been criticisms of the UN鈥檚 effectiveness since then, but few would question its principles.

The Founding Charter goes on to speak of the dignity, worth and equality of every human being and a key focus of the UN鈥檚 work has been the practical championing of human rights: promoting health for all, education for children and the welfare of refugees.

Rolling that out on a global scale continues to be a challenge; wars are still fought, inequalities and injustices continue. But that shouldn鈥檛 deter any of us from doing what we can with individuals and groups in our own communities.

I鈥檓 reminded of a well-known modern fable by Loren Eiseley. There鈥檚 an old man on a beach where thousands of starfish have been left grounded when the tide went out. He鈥檚 picking them up, one at a time, and throwing them back into the water. A passer-by tries to persuade him to give up- can鈥檛 he see that there are too many for him to make a difference?聽聽 The old man simply throws another starfish into the ocean and smiles:聽 鈥淚 made a difference to that one,鈥� he says.

It may not be in our power to change the world, but that shouldn鈥檛 stop each of us from finding a way to change someone鈥檚 world. That鈥檚 how we make our commitment to the dignity, worth and equality of all, and how we fulfil the 鈥榞olden rule鈥� of the world鈥檚 Great Faiths: to love our neighbours as ourselves.

We pray for God鈥檚 world in its beauty and its brokenness.... for the victims of poverty, disease and injustice... for all who suffer at the hands of others...
Lord, make us hunger and thirst for righteousness that your kingdom may come and your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Amen