Muslim Prayer Rug returns mysteriously to the Tower of God Assembly message for November 03, 2003 by Terry O'Malley
Athol Murray never wavered in his faith in the "undeniable reality of God." When he built the Tower of God, he installed the symbols and sayings of "world affirmations of the existence of God." The 'prayer rug' we hold up before you today is one of those symbols of Islam that reflects our daily gratitude to, and need of, our Creator. Devout Muslims pray five times per day. The Tower was erected with the assistance of the leaders of the three great world religions: Judaism, Islam and Christianity - each developed from the same founder, Abraham. What holds these great religions together are their bonds with the Creator and acceptance of universal and human values - sometimes called "natural law."
Never one to think small, in dedicating the Tower of God Father Murray suggested, "On a world scale, it could signal the return of all mankind to God." Father Murray would ask his students to enter the Tower of God and mull over the profound reflections that grace its walls.
Listen to Ali Bhutto of Pakistan:
"The hearts of all Muslims throughout the world are filled with gratitude to the Founder of the Faith to whom we owe to whatever is best in us. This gratitude can be articulated only through a rededication to universal and human values."
Listen to Martin Buber of Israel:
"The love of God is unreal unless it is crowned with love for one's fellow man."
Listen to Jesus:
"If you love me, keep my commandments: Love God above all else and your neighbour as yourself."
Why bring this up today? Well one of those universal values held by all who share a common brotherhood is: don't steal.
Seven years ago, the prayer rug from the Muslim Wall in the Tower of God, held up in front of you today, went missing. On Sunday, November 02, 2003, it returned anonymously to the front of the Tower of God. Someone caught on surely, to a universal and human value talked about by Ali Bhutto and returned the prayer rug to its proper home. With this change of heart, indeed, a little personal miracle happened. May miracles continue always at Notre Dame.
Let us Pray using the words of former Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau, which are in the Tower of God.
"May this Tower of God inspire people of all faiths to pursue the vision of universal brotherhood and peace to which Athol Murray dedicated his strength and his spirit and his life and his love."
Stand for the Lord's Prayer. |
