At our best, we know that community is not about taking sides. It is about loving one another and, when differences inevitably arise, to seek and find reconciliation. But what do we do? When slighted, we keep it inside. When offended, we complain to others. When angered, we cry out to whoever will listen or we get back our own. We widen the gap rather than seek community with the one who offended us. It’s like we want the rupture to grow, that we take pleasure in nursing our wounds in private and in public, but it may only be that we are just too lazy to do the hard work of reconciliation, of approaching the one whose actions pushed us away. Gullies, gorges, and canyons open up. God bless the bridge builders.
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Photo Prayer 2026-19. Photo of the shadow of the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge northwest of Taos, New Mexico. Photo copyright 2015; text, 2025, by Danny Nelson Schweers.
To see the essay “Seeking Reconciliation” upon which this prayer was based, visit https://www.ssam.org/seeking-reconciliation/.
Click here to see other recent Photo Prayers.
COMMENTS
Bill M. wrote:
Cool! I’ve been on that bridge. Very impressive to look down on the river. Good sentiments in your text too. Thanks.
This is absolutely beautiful, Danny.
Hooray for the bridge builders.
I love life, art, animals and anyone kind.
That’s my only criteria. I don’t try to fix the world.
Because I can’t.
But I can fix my little corner of it.
So easy to say but it takes BOTH sides to be willing.
Thanks for All YOU DO.
You are not a kidding about that.
Beautiful reminder, Danny.
I enjoyed your commentary on bridge building. It is so needed in today’s world. Thanks again for your photo prayers.
Very timely, Danny. Have to wonder just what is the “laziness” about ~? People tend to think they “are” their opinions, they identify with a point of view so are threatened to consider their opinions might need updating. Who are we if not our beliefs?
Carry on ~ take care ~ Marty
Wow!