Now the green blade rises from the buried grain,
Wheat that in dark earth many days has lain:
Love lives again, that with the dead has been:
Love is come again like wheat arising green.
When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain,
Your touch can call us back to life again,
Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:
Love is come again like wheat arising green.
During these holy days, as 2.38 billion Christians celebrate Easter, 1.91 billion Moslems mark Ramadan, and 14.6 million Jews observe Passover, we prayerfully acknowledge:
- The Vatican repudiating the Doctrine of Discovery, a 15th century pronouncement that legitimized the colonial-era seizure of Indigenous lands and formed the basis of some property law today.
Be not afraid. - Syrian peacemaker Ghaliaa Chaker beginning to apply her music composition skills to soothe the worries of Syrian children and refugees.
Be not afraid. - Israeli democracy advocates forcing the suspension of the overhaul of the country’s judicial system, bringing different parties to the negotiating table.
Be not afraid. - Leaders from four women’s religious communities in the Midwest United States signing a statement supporting mental health care for trans youth struggling in their communities.
Be not afraid. - Iraqis beginning to sleep more soundly and with less fear of undeclared United States aggression after the United States Senate approved the end of the Authorizations for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) by the United States against Iraq.
Be not afraid. - Iran and Saudi Arabia’s top diplomats agreeing to meet before the end of the holy month of Ramadan to implement a landmark bilateral reconciliation deal that was brokered by China.
Be not afraid. - The small Pacific island nation of Vanuatu winning a major victory to advance international climate law after it persuaded the U.N. General Assembly to ask the world’s highest international court to rule on the obligations of countries to address climate change.
Be not afraid
When we are all despairing:
when the world is full of grief;
when we see no way ahead,
and hope has gone away;
Roll back the stone.
Although we fear change;
although we are not ready;
although we’d rather weep
and run away:
Roll back the stone.
Because we’re coming with the women;
because we hope where hope is vain;
because you call us from the grave
and show us the way:
Roll back the stone.
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Source for opening prayer: “Now the Green Blade Rises”
Source for closing prayer: “Easter Prayer,” Janet Morley
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