One Life
When God's people come together in love, there is hope for the future.
Bless our God, you peoples; make the voice of his praise to be heard; Who holds our souls in life, and will not allow our feet to slip. For you, O God, have proved us; you have tried us just as silver is tried. You brought us into the snare; you laid heavy burdens upon our backs. You let enemies ride over our heads; we went through fire and water; but you brought us out into a place of refreshment. - Psalm 66:7-11
Last night we attended a prayer vigil at Community Synagogue in Rye. People came form miles around and filled the sanctuary.
We prayed and sang, remembering those who were murdered at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburg.
In the aftermath of the hateful act of lunacy that took the lives of eleven men and women, the reading in today's lesson from Psalms takes on special significance.
God is not the one testing our faith. A single gunman did that. But God is there to help us heal and come together in love.
We learned last night of the Jewish prayer of mourning, the Kaddish. In the midst of our pain and suffering, we praise God.
May His great name be exalted and sanctified. In the world which He created according to His will! May He establish His kingdom during your lifetime and during your days and during the lifetimes of all the House of Israel, speedily and very soon! And say, Amen.
May His great name be blessed for ever, and to all eternity!
Blessed and praised, glorified and exalted, extolled and honored, adored and lauded be the name of the Holy One, blessed be He, above and beyond all the blessings, hymns, praises and consolations that are uttered in the world! And say, Amen.
May the prayers and supplications of all Israel be accepted by their Father who is in Heaven; And say, Amen.
May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life upon us and upon all Israel; And say, Amen.
May He who makes peace in His high places grant peace upon us and upon all Israel; And say, Amen.
By focusing on God's grace, perhaps we can get past the anger and fear, to come together in peace and love.
It doesn't change the fact that hatred exists. It doesn't mean we don't need to be careful and find ways to protect ourselves from attack.
But maybe we can do as one of the members of clergy who spoke last night said. We do not shine alone. The light is from God, but we can be like mirrors, reflecting the light, pointing it into all the dark spaces.
God, help us touch one life, make a difference for one person.
And all will say, Amen.
More to come...