Jeff Fortenberry: “I would like to tell a story, though, that might augment some of these reflections. As a much younger man, I spent a…”

“I would like to tell a story, though, that might augment some of these reflections. As a much younger man, I spent a considerable amount of time in the Middle East and I was in a country that was predominantly Moslem and was being hosted by a Moslem family who were extraordinarily generous to me in welcoming me into their home. They lived in an oasis area that was just rich in agricultural production. Their neighbor was a Christian man. My host made a point to introduce me to him, knowing of my own faith tradition. He very humbly showed me, because I did not understand the language, the nature of their community, the nature of the way they lived. If I recall correctly, he took his Christian neighbor's hand, bowed down and gave it a kiss to show again the unity, in spite of the distinctions that are their faith tradition, the ability to live next to one another out of respect and humility, out of respect perhaps for a higher good, a higher calling to be a member of the human family.”