Most Honorable Governor Pataki,
Beloved brothers Archbishop Spyridon and
Your Graces
Distinguished guests and
Fellow members of the United Nations family,

We begin by thanking host for today’s luncheon, Alexander Papamarkou, our beloved spiritual son and trusted friend and extend our warmest thanks to all those gathered here today.  This occasion provides us with a momentary respite from the intensity of the  struggles which characterize our human condition.  Through the nourishing experience of shared food and drink; through this celebratory, eucharistic gathering, we are offered the opportunity to reflect on the vision for salvation and peace which unites each of us who constitute the human community in the United Nations.

Indeed, we are struck by the fact that this fellowship luncheon engages us in the creation of a eucharistic metaphor, by allowing us the opportunity to gather around the common table and the breaking of bread.  As we open ourselves to one another through conversation and sustenance, we will learn  from each other.  We will learn about how each of us has lived the pain of  sacrifice, as well as the excitement of achievement, on behalf of the  ideals of the United Nations.

Likewise, we will learn each other’s hopes for the U.N.’s mission on the eve of a new millennium whose challenges for world peace remain great, despite the great advances made just  recently as we close out this century.  It is in the learning and discovery of  communion with one another that this luncheon stands as eucharistic metaphor, as we come to understand our own experiences as part of each  other’s struggles for perpetual renewal.

Earlier today in our address to the family of the United Nations, we  were reminded of the divine gifts of unity and diversity offered to all God’s people.  Those gifts offer humankind the possibility for transforming the weaknesses of difference and separation into the strengths of unity in diversity.

However, in order for the fullness of those gifts to be realized in a human community in which inequity, injustice, degradation and conflict have been eradicated, each member in the assembly of nations must recognize that unity in diversity demands individual and  collective risk and sacrifice.  The mission of that assembly is not for the timid, but for those both brave and humble enough to make the  journey towards world peace.

This luncheon, esteemed, beloved and new-found friends, offers us an occasion for renewing our  bodies and revitalizing our spirit as we continue on the bold journey  which is the mission of the United Nations.  It is our prayer that we use this  eucharistic moment to reflect on and to celebrate our commitment to the  U.N., as part of our journey of restoring the grace of humankind and all  creation.  May God bless you.