In a fractured world – where differences in opinion are cause for name-calling instead of respectful “agree to disagree” acceptance – there came a moment this Holy Week that caused us to stop – or at least pause – and brought us humans back to… well, humanity.

When news broke Monday afternoon that Notre Dame was burning – Notre Dame! The Cathedral - whose foundation stone was laid in the heart of Paris in the year 1163 by believers whose intent it was to build a Monument to God – it seemed like the world ceased turning and held it’s collective breath.

And it wasn’t just Catholics who were stunned and saddened as parts of the Iconic Church were collapsing to the ground… People of all faiths seemed crushed and heartbroken as the wooden roof and the majestic spire fell, broken in the blaze.

As the flames – from what now appears to have been a renovation related accident – tore through the centuries-old House of Worship – people in Paris and across the World cried.

And we did something else… We prayed.

Was it just the centuries of history we feared losing? Afterall, the grand structure had stood witness to over 850 years of it. War and Peace and Revolutions. Invading armies and liberations. Love and loss. The reverential wonder of millions who over the many years traveled from every corner of the globe to bear witness to it’s architectural majesty, spiritual significance and precious religious artifacts. The Gold Cross. The Rose Windows. The Wooden Crown.

But I think it was more than that that brought the lump in our throats and tears to our eyes.

I think the reaction to the devastating fire at Notre Dame tapped into something deeper. Much deeper. Something we feel in our hearts rather than just know in our minds.

No matter what our religious views – no matter how secular our 21st Century life has become, we all – deep down - share one thing in common.

An unwavering belief that there is something - someone - out there – infinitely Greater than ourselves.

And Notre Dame is a symbol of our innate human desire to reach up. To pay homage. To show our respect, our Gratitude and our awe. To show our Faith.

And in that gut-wrenching moment, something remarkable happened. We came to remember the solemn importance of having more Faith in each other as well.

-Dick