By Kathie MM
They will be called children of God, by whatever name God is known.
Blessed are the peacemakers for confronting violence with nonviolence, for speaking truth to power, for persisting with limited resources against the forces of greed and destruction, for joining hands in sister and brotherhood when so many others spew hatred and harm, for being brave beacons of peace while cutthroat cowards promote war for profit, for honoring and preserving life on earth while all around them lives are being destroyed with arrogant disregard.
This past Sunday, the Peace Abbey, in Sherborn, Massachusetts—one of the thousands if not millions of local peace and social justice organizations around the world–had a rededication ceremony at the Peace Memorial. In particular, they honored Muhammad Ali, Howard Zinn, Maya Angelou, Daniel Berrigan, Betsy Sawyer, Jeanette Rankin, Rachel Corrie, Corbett Bishop and Kenneth and Elise Boulding—courageous peacemakers, bless them all.
Please enjoy some photos from the event and the Abbey, and excerpts from the dedication poem by Stefan Schindler, a frequent contributor to engaging peace. If you would like a copy of the whole poem, please submit your request as a comment on this post.
A PRAYER POEM
by Stefan Schindler
I know that freedom is a slippery slope.
I know that children give us hope.
I know that rainbows bless the sky.
I know that Gandhi is the reason why
the bells of freedom ring
in the echoes of the voice of Martin Luther King.
And, yes, the saints and sages of the ages … will long sing praises
to the extraordinary story … of Rachel Corrie.
Hence we now recall that noble soul … whose goal was peace;
she gave her life so that war should cease.
Ah, Rachel, you died too young; just barely beyond
the age of 21; your life’s song … just barely sung.
Long indeed may your story be told; your bravery so bold.
You showed courage of conscience beyond measure.
Your life, and example, we shall always treasure.
Thus we promise to pause, every now and then,
to think of you … alongside Daniel … in the lions den.
With holy courage and conscience you took a stance,
and gave your life … to give peace a chance….
Green fields and forests the fruit of our toil;
nourished we are by earth’s rich soil.
With kindred spirit of animals and friends,
we trek the valleys and round the bends
of the river of time that never ends.
Yes, we too are pilgrims on Abbey Road.
Say, brother, let me carry that load.
United by Buddha’s Dharma-Gate tether, we frolic
in strawberry fields forever; with one who knows a love supreme,
the voice resounding: “I have a dream.”
Final note from KMM: if you want peace, value peace, hope and pray for peace for your children and granschildren, then work for peace and give to peace. Please support local peace organizations like Engaging Peace and the Peace Abbey. Volunteers and activists earn their way to Heaven, but donations help their work on earth.
