Beyond our Backyard

Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 24 BCP 235)

One good thing that national and global disasters do is draw our attention away from our own little corner of community. Especially in this day and age, we have a tendency to focus only on our own situations and our own personal community. We forget the great wide world of creation and all the things going on other places, including all the other people striving for a good life. 

When we start looking beyond our own backyards, we can see the wondrous miracle of diversity throughout the world. People live in so many different ways, work in so many different environments, and prioritize different aspects of life. Usually when we see others' ways of life, we can start to appreciate more aspects of our own life and the gifts we have been blessed with. Certainly, as the world is right now, even here in Franklin, we are richer and given more blessings than most in the rest of the world. 

We will pray this coming Sunday in the Collect above and the Prayers of the People for the rest of the world. In doing so, we are reminded of the diversity God has created and our responsibility in caring for those we have never met. God is working for the good of all people, not just the people here or the people we love. Sometimes without the bigger picture, we cannot hope to understand what God is doing. Thankfully we know God is at work all around our global community.