“In Ramah is heard the sound of sobbing, bitter weeping! Rachel mourns for her children, she refuses to be consoled for her children—they are no more!” Jeremiah 31:15
Violence and the murder of people peacefully praying in their houses of worship seems to be more than a trend lately.
On March 15, there were shootings at two mosques in New Zealand.
On Easter Sunday, three shootings took place at three churches and four hotels in Sri Lanka.
On April 27, the last day of Passover, a shooting took place at a synagogue in Poway, California.
Hatred born of Islamophobia, anti-Christian sentiment, and anti-Semitism were at the root of these attacks. This kind of intolerance breeds violence and destroys lives.
We at Pax Christi USA offer this prayer as for lamentation, to transform hate into love, and to promote commitment to action for justice:
God, how do we understand this devastation? We weep! We mourn for our sisters and brothers who were mercilessly murdered and are no longer with us on this Earth. May our remembrance of these prayerful people in their homes of worship not be in vain. May our prayers for peace also be our work for justice. Turn our lives into a prayer and an offering to you and one another.
When we lobby Congress… May this action be our prayer.
When we march in the streets… May this action be our prayer
When we advocate for justice… May this action be our prayer.
When we practice nonviolence… May this action be our prayer.
When we stand with people of all faiths… May this action be our prayer.
When we work for gun control… May this action be our prayer.
God, form our hearts and guide us to do this prayerful work for social justice so that your kindom of God is present on Earth. Amen.
Please share widely.
Thank you for the reminders.
Amidst the chaos and inhumanity that insidiously seeks to normalize itself in our world – and our country – gracias for advancing the leaven of broad caring and peace and justice. ‘Tis a message we need to hear – and strive to live… Especially now (& despite the challenge). God bless, Rachel! And God bless everyone
Please share this lamentation to end violence.