["...We live through times when hate and fear seem stronger
We rise and fall and light from dying embers
Remembrances that hope and love lasts long
And love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love
Cannot be killed or swept aside,
I sing Vanessa’s symphony, Eliza tells her storyNow fill the world with music love and pride"(excerpt from Lin-Manuel Miranda's acceptance speech at the Tony Awards)
We cannot remain heartbroken because then we will be paralyzed and that would not be helpful to anyone. We must soften our heartbreak by choosing to love the other. We can choose to respond to this hatred and to this violence with love, love for every one. That is all that matters.
Mekor Ha'Chayiim, Source of Life, Source of Breath, as we enter into Shabbat we are more aware of the fact that we are blessed to have breath. We are more aware of our gratitude to be in life. Let us use this awareness to strengthen our commitment to choose to love every one. Let us see the presence of something holy in the face of every other. Let us leave judgement aside. Let us lead with love.]
This week is time for a little check-in. How did we do? Did we lead with love? Did we put judgment aside? For one week? For even one day? Or did we just return to life/business as usual? It's hard to change. It sometimes feels impossible to do things differently than we have done for so many year, perhaps even for our entire lives. But this is what we are asked to do in the face of tragedy.
On June 12, 2016, 49 innocent people were murdered. We felt sadness, rage, shock and a ton of other emotions. These are all natural responses to such a horrific tragedy. But, what actions did we take this past week? Did we lead with love? Did we leave judgement aside?
In the very first story in Bible, we learn that the distinction between the creation of humanity and everything else is that human being was created in the image of God with Godlike abilities. Human being was given free will. This gift, this privilege, this responsibility is ours forever. It is our call to action. It is the symbol for all of our power. Every breath is an opportunity for us to activate this power. What will our intention be? This is something each of us chooses.
Mekor Ha'Chayiim, Source of Life, Source of Breath, as we enter into Shabbat, let us continue to honor the memory of the 49 innocent souls who were murdered. Let us choose to engage our free will with intentionality towards leading with love and leaving judgement aside.
Shabbat shalom u'mevorach,
Laurie
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