I'd like to start with a brief story that I've seen in many different traditions.

And in this one, several centuries ago, Abishap was traveling in remote areas and passed

a little island and stopped in for refreshments.

There were three fishermen there who explained that centuries earlier, they had been Christianized

by missionaries and they had been taught the Lord's Prayer, but they forgot it.

And what they were saying now was, you know, we are three and you are three, have mercy

upon us.

So they said, please teach us what we've forgotten.

And of course, the missionary was, Abishap was appalled and he set them straight and he

told them how to say the Lord's Prayer.

And there were poor learners, but they gave it all they had and he sailed off, feeling

very gratified that he had saved some souls.

Well, as it happened months later, he was passing through the same area and he was saying

his prayers on deck and he noticed a spot of light in the far east and it was coming towards

him and towards him.

And as it got close enough, he realized that it was the three fishermen and they were

walking on water and they came within speaking distance and they said, we hear your boat

go past and we came to meet you and please, so sorry, but we forgot your lovely prayer.

Um, please, so sorry, could you tell us, tell us again, we forgot.

What was it?

And then, of course, Abishap quite humbled, said, go back, home my friends and each time

you pray, say we are three, you are three, have mercy upon us.

...