Prayers in response to
- Orlando, Florida, US – where a gunman shot and killed 49, with 53 more injured, at a gay nightclub, before he himself was killed
- Mosul, Iraq – after 19 Yazidi girls were burnt alive by their Islamic State captors, in front of a crowd of hundreds, for refusing to have sex with their captors
- Kampala, Uganda – where a Ugandan soldier “went amok”, killing seven people, including three children, in a shooting spree at a military police barracks
- Birstall, UK – as people mourn the shooting and stabbing death of Member of Parliament Jo Cox, known and loved for her commitment to working for human rights
- Assamakka, Niger – where 34 migrants, including 20 children, were found dead, having died of thirst after being abandoned by their smuggler
Beloved,
Never think for even a moment that because we don’t speak,
or don’t speak the right words,
in response to the horrors of the world
that we do not care.
But rather, were we to open our mouths,
our hearts would burst wide open
from our anguish.
Never think for even a moment that when we post cute cat videos
and get immersed in sports scores
and random silliness
that we do not grieve.
But rather, that we must cling to the ordinary
to remember how to live,
how to survive, in the face of horror.
Never think for even a moment that when our attention swings
to the latest disaster,
when we seem to ignore one trouble spot
for another,
or flit from the needs of women, to the abuse of children,
to the denigration of one nationality or race,
to the terrors of our LGBTQ neighbors
that we care less about some.
But rather, that we are only human,
and can only grasp so much sorrow at one time.
Beloved,
Remember, even when we can’t,
that no one is ever beyond hope, beyond healing.
That even the most hate-filled
still holds within, your most beloved image.
Remember, even when we can’t,
that when we echo the Psalmist in crying out for revenge,
in promising to exact retribution,
in denying the humanity of others,
we are still your beloved children.
Remember, even when we can’t,
that threatening power in the hopes of conquering fear
means that fear wins.
Always wins.
That risking all, to answer death with love
is the only answer, the only love.
Beloved,
We entrust into your hands, your love, your life
all who have died,
all who are injured,
all who have done harm,
all who seek to help and heal,
all who mourn,
and all who fear.
All who promise to do more.
Ourselves, and all we love.
Beloved,
forgive.
forgive.
forgive.
Beloved,
love.
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