At church last night we just finished 24 hours of prayer, praying for specific peoples that folks asked for hundreds of them, and all peoples, all religions, and our planet as well...
We started 7 pm on Wednesday with a service honoring all religions and had representatives of a number of them and lit a candle for those that could not come. As Muslims and Jews just started their holy days, they had their ceremony to attend to and were not there, we held a space for them and read their prayers for peace. In the past when we've had Rabbis and Imams present with folks from Bahai, Sufi, Jain, Indigenous beliefs, Hindu Priests, Buddhist Monks etc. the discussions and talks have always been awesome.
They were this time as well, but the presence and input these very influential Abrahamic belief systems were missed the other night in comparison to years past. It is quiet in the wee hours of the night in the sanctuary contemplating what was heard during the service and in discussion afterword, contemplating the names of those we are praying for on the walls, contemplating the lotus mandala of religious symbols just as the dove in my avatar...
As the sun came up, and other folks came in to hold the space in prayer, I showered and headed out to the world to work. I returned last night for the closing service, one of great love and emotion...and this morning, back at work again, back on the computer on this site, I contemplate how far we have to go to achieve the oneness felt in that room.
I consider the metaphor of Brian tearing down the walls, loosening the control, modifying the code of conduct on these boards a while ago. And how we all need to either do that, or just be satisfied with divisions.
There was one prayer that struck me, and I have to find out what religion and who was quoted...and the exact quote...but paraphrased...it went something like.
Peace and love is the only answer, as there will always be a more determined foe, and a bigger weapon, but no weapon can compete with peace, forgiveness and love.
It is a gross modification of the original....but I will find it and post it.
Peace, forgiveness and love to all.
We started 7 pm on Wednesday with a service honoring all religions and had representatives of a number of them and lit a candle for those that could not come. As Muslims and Jews just started their holy days, they had their ceremony to attend to and were not there, we held a space for them and read their prayers for peace. In the past when we've had Rabbis and Imams present with folks from Bahai, Sufi, Jain, Indigenous beliefs, Hindu Priests, Buddhist Monks etc. the discussions and talks have always been awesome.
They were this time as well, but the presence and input these very influential Abrahamic belief systems were missed the other night in comparison to years past. It is quiet in the wee hours of the night in the sanctuary contemplating what was heard during the service and in discussion afterword, contemplating the names of those we are praying for on the walls, contemplating the lotus mandala of religious symbols just as the dove in my avatar...
As the sun came up, and other folks came in to hold the space in prayer, I showered and headed out to the world to work. I returned last night for the closing service, one of great love and emotion...and this morning, back at work again, back on the computer on this site, I contemplate how far we have to go to achieve the oneness felt in that room.
I consider the metaphor of Brian tearing down the walls, loosening the control, modifying the code of conduct on these boards a while ago. And how we all need to either do that, or just be satisfied with divisions.
There was one prayer that struck me, and I have to find out what religion and who was quoted...and the exact quote...but paraphrased...it went something like.
Peace and love is the only answer, as there will always be a more determined foe, and a bigger weapon, but no weapon can compete with peace, forgiveness and love.
It is a gross modification of the original....but I will find it and post it.
Peace, forgiveness and love to all.