We Had Made the long journey, halfway around the world, from Boston to Perth. A different hemisphere. Different stars in the night sky. Even a different date on the calendar when we arrived. The east coast of North America and the west coast of Australia were worlds apart geographically. The landscapes and cityscapes were certainly distinctive. And although we did speak the same language . . . well, there was the American's "How ya doin'?" and Aussie's "G'day, mate!"

Still, my wife, Whitney, and I didn't feel out of place. We felt welcomed. The people throughout Australia had, without exception, been warm and friendly. As we checked into our hotel in Perth, we realized that this very day—December 3, 2000—was Australia's national day of reconciliation. It was a time when efforts were being made everywhere to put aside old fears and prejudices.

The native aboriginal population had planned large-scale rallies and marches in all the major cities to highlight the need to recognize their full rights and worth as individuals. It was another step forward in the long process of finding a way for genuine reconciliation between the original Australian people and the later settlers who had come from distant shores with a very different culture. This was a day of hope, as the aboriginal people and thousands of other Australians joined hands and marched together in a bond of common humanity, which ultimately includes each one of us, regardless of culture or nationality.

I recently thought about that day in Australia once again as I considered all that has happened in our world over the last several months. Terrorist attacks. A war waged on a beleaguered nation to root out terrorism. Increased tensions and violence in the Middle East. New fears about people's safety, about the economy, about the world order. And fears simply about others who are different—who have different perspectives on life, who have different religious views, who have cultures that we don't readily understand or appreciate. I began to see that what was going on in Australia on that December day was quite simply about love. And although I know that many people will think it's too simplistic, I couldn't let go of the conviction that our fears will finally be washed away only by love.

I remembered, too, a Bible passage that says, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear" (I John 4:18). That's a truly remarkable statement. First, the declaration that there's no fear at all in love; and then, that something called "perfect love" is capable of eliminating fear altogether. I see this as the example Jesus left to us in his healing works, in quieting a fierce storm on the Sea of Galilee, in facing his own crucifixion from the standpoint of divine forgiveness. All of this must surely be pointing to something deeper than our usual sense of human love. Because, sometimes no matter how much human love we feel, we're still afraid. In fact, there are times when I think we may actually become afraid because our human love for another person is so great.

So, what is this "perfect love"? Following the Bible's profound teaching on the subject, Christian Science has helped many spiritual seekers discover that God Himself is, in fact, infinite divine Love. The love of divine Love . . . there's a perfect love, a love without fear, a love that is large enough and powerful enough to take away our anxieties, doubts, and worries. If we can accept that God actually is pure Love—and that we are actually created in the likeness of this complete, all-embracing Love—we will find an inspiration that enables us to express more of that perfect love and its healing effect right here in everyday living. In our immediate relations with family, friends, and strangers. In supporting the right efforts and decisions of statesmen and political leaders. In each of our individual prayers for the world.

As Whitney and I joined in the march along Perth's waterfront for a short distance that December day, I could see the hope in many faces that reconciliation and new freedom from stubborn prejudice and fear might finally be possible. Wherever we are, whatever our religion or culture or nationality, as we take even the first steps to live our lives as the very expression of Love that is divine, things do change. We find more peace, comfort, and spiritual confidence. We're more effective in helping others.

Our prayers are acts of love. And they have a direct impact on transforming the world and bringing a genuine reconciliation, even if only one heart at a time is stirred. And who knows which heart, when touched by that "perfect love," will be the heart that changes the whole tide of human events.