usually when we talk about "saying grace", we mean the short blessing spoken before (occasionally after) a meal. it is a practice that spans across cultures and among all religions. giving thanks for the food about to be eaten, and remembering those who do not have food to eat. it acknowledges the grace and sacred nature of breaking bread with others; of communion (from the Latin communio, sharing in common).
how often we focus on our differences; on what makes us unique. and by all means, those differences are beautiful and important. but sometimes we focus so much on the differences that we fail to see the basic similarities that we share in common. john f. kennedy, a perfectly imperfect leader in his own time and i would argue, throughout time, said that "Our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal."
what else do we all share in common? how can we bring that to the table the next time we "say grace"?
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