Contributed by Qalvy Grainzvolt, the Shinnyo-en USA, New York Temple
The 21st Interreligious Prayer Service, hosted by Dr. Chuck Chesnavage in observance of U.N. Interfaith Harmony Week, was held at Mercy University in New York City (Bronx) on February 3rd, 2025. In fact, the venue for this year’s service was the location where Dr. Chesnavage teaches as member of its faculty. It felt like coming home with a proverbial table where a potluck of spiritual, religious, and ethical teachings was brought for sharing and tasting.
We had many familiar faces attending, both in-person and through a virtual platform. However, it was the new faces, the new words, and new perspectives that brought such spice and diversity to this year’s gathering. A theme of both compassion and what I understood as mercy was woven throughout the service.
I was particularly moved by the words that the high school youth choir sang as songs of mercy and liberation. The Christian understanding of mercy can vary, and seeing those brimming with youth express their own personalities and understanding through their music was poignant. The Hebrew nomenclature for mercy, “chesed,” connotes steadfast love and loyalty, while the Greek term “eleos” implies compassion.
The venue’s namesake, Mercy University, felt in resonance with the spirit of this year’s observance of U.N. Interfaith Harmony Week and with the founding aspirations of its resolution (World Interfaith Harmony Week Resolution UNGA A/65/PV.34).
This gathering reminded us that harmony and understanding are nourished when diverse voices come together at a shared table. I look forward to the next year’s event, where new faces, words and perspectives will once again unite to foster world interfaith harmony.