We long to become disciples of silence and hear in that shimmery soundlessness the voice of the One who whispers in stillness, whose singing vibrates in stones, who out of the silence calls forth a radical commitment of which we do not yet know the shape. – Christine Valters Paintner
We pray to the One who holds our grief and sorrow. We mourn today for:
- The Thailand school shooting massacre in Nong Bua Lampha where 24 preschoolers were shot and killed along with 13 other people.
- The suicide bombing in a Kabul, Afghanistan classroom where over 50 people were killed.
- The death of at least 15 prisoners in Latacunga, Ecuador. Last year, over 300 prisoners died during riots in various jails across Ecuador.
- The Russian missile attacks on several busy Ukranian cities, resulting in the death of civilians, injuring many more and knocking out power and heat.
May the ones who are reeling from these tragedies feel your loving arms enfold them. May those beloved beings who have died in the face of violence have light perpetual shine upon them.
We pray to the One who offers us hope. Today we celebrate:
- The marches that occurred across the USA on 10.08.22 shining attention on the National Day of Action for Women, focusing on civil rights and ending violence against women.
- The state of Western Australia (WA) whose government has created three new marine parks in collaboration with Indigenous people: Mayala, Maiyalam, and Bardi Jawi Gaarra will be co-managed with the state, using both traditional Aboriginal knowledge and modern environmental practices.
- The Nobel Peace Prize recipients: Belarus-based human rights advocate Ales Bialiatski, Ukranian human rights organization Center for Civil Liberties and Russian human rights organization Memorial.
- The week-long Jewish holiday of Sukkot, celebrated by Jews around the world, reminding us all of our ancestors and of our human frailty.
May we be strengthened by the actions of those who stand up to injustice, inspired by those who bring innovative ideas to life, and fortified by those who practice their faith through cherished traditions.
We pray to the One who calls us to simplicity. Today we embrace:
- Tulsi Gowind Gowda who has devoted her life to transforming vast swaths of barren land in her native state of Karnataka, in southern India, into dense forests.
- Swiss-American architect, David Montalba, who invites the natural world into the homes that he creates with a focus on natural light and water.
- The majestic sandhill cranes, who have been saved from the brink of extinction and are a Michigan state (USA) environmental success story.
- The moon in all her luminescent glory – Luna’s spiritual energy is available to all of us, no matter where we reside on this planet.
May we allow ourselves to pause… and breathe in the beauty that surrounds us. May we choose to live into the philosophy that we have all the time in the world.
May we be still and know…
Leave a Reply