My Vigil Statement in 2018 regarding Missile Strikes Against Syria

Let us be together in a spirit of prayer, reflection, or meditation.

Once, at the beginning of the Persian Gulf War, many years ago, a rally was gathered to protest against war. Everyone was hoping the speaker, Henri Nouwen, would rail against the administration. Instead, he asked, How is it with your soul? So, how is it with your soul?

So let us begin there. May each of you know well-being, compassion, and peace. May your compassion be ever-increasing.

Let us remember the children, and mothers, and fathers, all the men and women, of Syria. May each one know well-being, compassion and peace. May their compassion for all of life be ever-increasing.

Let us pray for the rulers in Syria, and the rebels fighting them, that they would put down their weapons and turn towards peace. May each one know greater compassion for all of life. May their compassion ever increase.

Let us pray for the children and mothers, and fathers, all the men and women, of the United States. May each one know well-being, peace, and compassion. May their compassion for all of life be ever-increasing.

Let us pray for the rulers of the United States, that they would put down their weapons, and their drones, and their guns, and turn towards peace. May each one know greater compassion for all of life. May their compassion ever increase.

May every human being on the Earth learn to love peace and turn towards peace, for all of our sakes, for the earth’s sake, for god’s sake.

May all life know ever-increasing compassion.

Amen.