Amidst pain and suffering and loss and injustice beyond our words and feelings,
we bring ourselves into the intimate presence of holiness --
to ask and argue and doubt and cry.
And when all is said, and all is thought,
and exhaustion replaces the raw energy of our grief...
...finally we let our quiet breathing replace what keeps us from
letting Shalom, Salaam, Peace have its way with us.
Indeed, now, breathing in Spirit feeds our spirit;
breathing out Spirit cleanses our souls.
Breathing in feeds -- breathing out cleanses.
Breathing in -- breathing out.
True inspiration.
Tonight, we find strength in our breathing to abide in each new step;
one after the other.
Tonight, in our breathing and our walking,
we experience the intimate presence of holy sustenance along the way
toward a more-focused compassion.
Slowly, we begin to seek less after answers about why this has happened.
More and more, we begin to ask, “how can we help?”
“What creative solution can come from our gifts?”
“Who are we, who am I, to be used for healing,
reconciliation, new wholeness, generous comfort...
...for those in places like Haiti wherein lives have been
undone by the mysteries of creation’s ways.
So, let us listen for Spirit in the deepest places of our living.
Let us acquaint ourselves with holy possibilities within our own lives.
Let us affirm and confirm our ability to bring a new light of relief and recovery
into the presently darkened holes of grief and pain across our world,
and even next door;
...into the life of each of our neighbors, even those in Haiti.
Amen.