Without Fanfare

After the deadly concert bombing in Manchester, England, Queen Elizabeth II visited victims of the attack at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.  Queen Elizabeth chose for her visit to be unannounced so that the patients and their families were the priority.  While talking with 14 year old Evie Mills and her parents, the Queen expressed, “It’s dreadful.  Very wicked, to target that sort of thing.”

During President Trump’s visit to Israel, Noam Cappon wrote of a touching moment when Nechama Rivlin, President Rivlin’s wife, met First Lady Melania Trump at the door of the home of President Rivin.  Before entering, Mrs. Rivin whispered to Mrs. Trump that she would try to keep up with the walking pace, but due to her medical condition, which required her to carry an oxygen tank,  she might be slow.  Melania Trump reached over, took Nechama Rivin’s hand and told her: “We’ll walk at any pace you choose.”  According to Cappon, “And so they walked, slowly, gracefully and proudly, hand in hand.”

He continued, “That is the moment I chose to cherish.  That silent gesture has neither any political significance nor any colorful tone to it, but it is everything.

It is the hope we yearn for when we speak of peace.

It is the kindness we wish to protect when we speak of defeating terror;

It is the dignity we want to teach when we speak of stopping hate;

It is the friendship we pray for when we speak of our unbreakable bond.

In other words, this gesture encompasses everything that is good, kind and human.”

What a wonderful world it would be if we each chose to do the right, honorable, and kind action in love, whether anyone was watching or not.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:3-4

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:8-9

A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

John 13: 34-35