FRANCE WINS,

THE WORLD WINS

France won the World Cup of soccer today defeating Croatia, 4-2.

Allons enfants de la Patrie,

Le jour de gloire est arrivé

Let's go children of the Fatherland,

The day of glory has arrived.

This is sweet victory coming just one day after Bastille Day.

This is a great day for the world too. Lately, we have seen far too much of the forces trying to divide us and turn us against each other. Anti-democratic and anti-human-rights tendencies are alarming all around us, including our own country.

Two great events have happened recently to show us that we human beings have far more in common than in difference, the World Cup and the rescue of the boys in Thailand. The World Cup brought together people from all around the world in goodnatured fun. We played together by the same rules. We respected each other. This is humanity at its best.

Best too was the show of humanity in Thailand where people suddenly showed up from all around the world to do what they could to rescue those dozen boys and their coach. A lot of people gave a great deal and it turned out well. All were rescued. Here again was humankind at its best.

I think the same is true in South Carolina too. The former friends of the old diocese now split into two groups really have far more in common than in difference; and the Episcopal Church is trying its best to heal the wounds, restore unity and return to the task of doing God's work in the world. 

We should all be encouraged by all of these good signs around us. The reconciliation in South Carolina is underway. The first conversation is tomorrow. The end of a very long and hard road is not close but is in sight. That is encouraging enough for now. So, I say good for France; good for Thailand; good for us.