大象传媒

A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Rev Carolyn Skinner

Good morning.

Next month the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris get underway. The strapline for this year is, Games Wide Open. This encourages us to open our minds to stop seeing differences as obstacles. Sadly in the world of sport this hasn鈥檛 always been true. This year is seeking to be the biggest Paralympic Games in history.

The use of the same emblem for both the Olympics and Paralympics for the first time is a game changer, not just for marketing but the culture of the Games too. Also full gender equality will be achieved for the first time in history. In the Paris Olympics in 1900 women took part for the first time with twenty two participants, and now in 2024 women will make up 50% of the athletes. Such advancements are to be applauded as we all seek to see differences as something to be celebrated.

Difference and diversity is also something which is celebrated in the Christian tradition. The Bible tells us that we are all created in the image of God and all of equal worth. Jesus recognized and welcomed differences, he reached out to all people without distinction. This is a model that many of us could learn something from.

Equality in diversity is what creates life鈥檚 rich tapestry. Celebrating our differences, as well as our common humanity, helps to unite and educate us. It is within our differences that we can find beauty not barriers. I鈥檓 glad that the Games shine a light on this but we could all do well to keep remembering it.

Loving God I thank you that we are all made equal and yet unique. Help me to respect, learn from, and celebrate one another鈥檚 differences.

Amen.