Can the World Vouch for You?

Mussie Hailu, URI Ambassador for Peace

The Golden Rule--A Gift to the World!
Anyone who has ever met my friend Mussie Hailu knows him to be a man of grace and compassion. Oh, yes and passion. Mussie Hailu is from Ethiopia. I met him years ago, a young man who I wanted to be part of my family. He is, but I thought--since I didn't birth him, perhaps he could marry my daughter. We both laugh at this. I consider myself somewhat a mother to him, I love him that much. But I am also a sister to him, an older sister--mind you--but someone who cares for him, prays for him and supports his endeavors in building a better world. Last month (May), I had the honor of accepting an award from the Wilhelm Schole International, a school in Houston run by guardian Marilyn Wilhelm. As I came to the podium to read Mussie's words, I thought of a story that I like telling to young people. Do you know your spot?
     The story goes something like this. A man climbs a mountain in a foreign land, seeking the wisdom of the sage who resides at the top. Upon reaching the top of the mountain he finds the wise man.
    "Why are you here?" the old man says.
     The old man's hands are gnarled and a rich caramel color. The eyes are a rich brown and the man feels as if they can see through him. Discomforted somewhat, yet strangely exhilerated, the man tells him. "I've come to learn from you. I want to be wise so that I can make the world better."
     At this the old man scoffs. "Hmmmph! You want to be wise?"
     "Yes. Wise. Not for selfish reasons, I promise. I want to help the world."
      With a quick turn about the younger man, the old man contemplates his presence. "Hmmmph!" he says again. Placing a hand under his chin, the old man comes back around the gazes unflinchingly into the young man's eyes.
     "Very well, then," he tells him. The young man sighs with relief. The old man starts to walk off calling over his shoulders, "I will teach you when you find your spot."
     If wishes were horses, beggers would ride a wise man once said. Good thing I don't believe in wishes. I simply believe. In trying to figure out what the old man thinks of as his spot, the young exhausts himself trying to find a place on the top of the mountain that he can call his own. Finally weary, he sits down, exhaustion taking over. The old man returns and looking the young man over, he states (and here is the rest of the story) ...

  

     As both Mussie and I are committed to promoting daily interfaith cooperation, ending religiously motivated violence and creating cultures of peace, justice and healing for the Earth, the stories of the different faiths we meet along the way gives credence to the fact that we are all God's children. It also adds that we should "do no harm" as we journey through life. That's what the Golden Rules does. It also vouches for you as a human being. No matter how you say it. Do no harm. By valuing the life of another, you vouch for the other human being that he or she is valued above anything else.
     This next two weeks, I will stand with those from my URI family to look at where we are and where we are going. I can truthfully say that I believe ...
     I believe that the world can end violence.
     I believe that love will unite us.
     I believe that we all have a place in this world--our spot.
     I believe in you.
     Red and yellow, black and white. I believe that we are ALL precious in God's sight. Christian, Muslim, Jew ... the world's indigenous, the pagans and the not-so pagans. I vouch for you.
     Peace.