Psalm 8:4-5 says: What is man that you are mindful of him? What is human being that you care for him? You have made him a little lower than the angels and crowned him with glory and honor.
Tonight's interview was like opening a window, allowing me a glimpse into "another sheepfold." Facing my Muslim friends from a foreign land, I marveled at the vastness of God's creation. As Merton said, though humanity often struggles in absurdity and error, God himself donned this flesh and blood, taking pride in it. When I read, "What is man that you remember him?" I realized that dignity does not stem from our perfection, but from the Creator's unwavering care. Transcending religious and cultural barriers, I saw not aliens, but souls equally crowned with God's glory. This encounter shattered my narrow view of God, allowing truth to shine in our dialogue.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this wonderful encounter tonight, allowing me to see your mercy towards others through the eyes of my Indonesian friend. Lord, what are humans that you care for us so much? Our race, full of weakness and absurdity, has been crowned with glory and honor by you. Please preserve the awe of this first meeting, so that my heart may always be filled with reverence and humility to love those who are different from me. May you continue to guide my studies, making this course not only an increase in knowledge but also an expansion of spiritual boundaries. Please personally guide the sheep in "another sheepfold," so that we may meet in your love and return to one shepherd. Amen.