Beside Restful Waters

Adapted from Training For Change - “Diversity Welcome”

Shared by Fr. Richard Rohr

“We would like to let you know that you belong….

People on all parts of the continuum of gender identity and expression,

Including those who are gay, bisexual, heterosexual, transgender, cisgender,

Queer folks, the sexually active, the celibate,

and everyone for whom those labels don’t apply.

We say, ‘You belong.'

People of African descent, of Asian descent, of European descent,

Of First Nations descent in this land and abroad,

People of mixed and multiple descents and of all languages spoken here,

We say, ‘You belong.'

Bodies of all abilities and challenges.

Those living with any chronic medical condition,

Visible or invisible, mental or physical,

We say, ‘You belong.'

Your emotions: joy, fear, grief, contentment,

Disappointment, surprise, and all else that flows through you.

We say, ‘You belong.'

Your families, genetic and otherwise.

Those dear to us who have died.

Our ancestors and the future ones.

The ancestors who lived in this land, in this place, where these buildings are now…

We honor you through this work that we are undertaking.

We say, ‘You belong.'

People who feel broken, lost, struggling;

Who suffer from self-doubt and self-judgment.

We say, ‘You belong.'

All beings that inhabit this earth, human or otherwise:

The two legged, the four legged, winged and finned,

Those that walk, fly, and crawl,

Above the ground and below, in air and water.

We say, ‘You belong.'"

Today, I ask myself: Does the work I undertake today give honor to all who are spoken of as belonging? Do I welcome you in such a way that you belong on my path, in my life, and in my soul?

Today I will practice welcoming all beings in the hope that I will become a welcoming person.

Namaste’