| Creative One, Lover of women and men: You have displayed your delight
in difference by creating us male and female, by so bringing male from
female that the two should carry on a dance from generation to
generation, touching and withdrawing, gazing and averting their eyes,
clinging to one another and pushing one another away, challenged ever to
define self in relation to an other who is almost a clone of self and
yet mysteriously different, at once enmeshed siblings and
uncomprehending and alienated strangers. Help us to cross the gaping
divide of our differences, to relinquish all need to dominate or
diminish the other, to experience compassion for the other’s foibles
and admiration for the other’s triumphs, to welcome the other’s
presence and initiative as a gift and not a trial or torment. For you
have given us to each other for community and mutual care and the shared
fulfillment of the unqualified and unconditional love you have poured
out on each one of us.
AMEN! |