Five years ago today I was in residence at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC supporting my son Captain Jason as he recovered from Very Serious Wounds (VSI) in Iraq. (Please see www.CaptJason.blogspot.comm for info begin reading October 2005.)
On Memorial Day I was invited to a memorial service by a mother K of a son who had attended Tank Commander School with Jason. Ken was her only child and her only son. He was killed in Iraq shortly after the invasion began in 2003. K had contacted me at WR to see if Jason would talk about her son and their time together. K wanted to know everything she could about her son, now deceased 2 years.
Today she and her family, friends and Ken's finance who was a RN for Jason at WR will meet at Arlington National Cemetery. They will remember Ken with stories, tears and laughter. They will release a balloon and pour beer on his grave. My heart is with them today as I remember my time with them in 2006 and who they are today. K continues to speak strongly for an end to war.
Today I remember Gilda and her Marine Alex, her only son and only child. As a member of Military Family Speaks Out (MFSO) Gilda visited and offered support to Jason and I while I was at WR. Alex was killed in Iraq early May 2006 and I attended his funeral at Arlington Cemetery. His headstone a very short way from Ken's. I haven't heard much from Gilda in the intervening years. I pray that she has found peace on this 5th anniversary since Alex's death.
Today as I was reading the Liturgy of the Hours, I saw the reference to prayers for today in the Sacramentary. I would like to include some of these prayers for today as a deepening of our Memorial Day reflections and prayers.
Some words have been changed to be inclusive.
For Peace and Justice
God our Creator
you reveal that those who work for peace
are called your sons and daughters.
Help us to work without ceasing
for that justice
which brings true and everlasting peace.
and
Loving Creator,
you guide all creation with care.
As you have given all women and men one common origin,
bring them together peacefully into one family
and keep them united in love as sisters and brothers.
and
Loving God,
creator of the world
you establish the order which governs all the ages.
Hear our prayer and give peace in our time
that we may rejoice in your mercy and praise you without end.
and
God of perfect peace,
violence and cruelty can have no part with you.
May those who are at peace with one another
hold fast to the good will that unites them;
may those who are enemies forget their hatred and be healed.
Prayers in Time of War
God of power and mercy,
you destroy war and put down earthly pride.
Banish violence from our midst and wipe away our tears
that we may all deserve to be called your sons and daughters.
and
God our Creator,
maker of love and peace,
to know you is to live,
and to serve you is to live in the kindom.
All our faith is in your saving help;
protect us from violence
and keep us safe from weapons of hate.
and
Loving God remember Christ your Son who is peace itself
and who washed away our hatred with his blood.
Because you love humanity,
look with mercy on us.
Banish the violence and evil within us,
and by this offering (of gifts) restore tranquility and peace.
and
(for prayer after communion)
Beloved Creator,
you satisfy our hunger with the one bread
that gives strength to humanity,
Help us to overcome war and violence,
and to establish your law of love and justice.
All prayers end with
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Brother,
who lives with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, for ever and ever. Amen
May you find peace and comfort today.
My heart is saddened to hold all those lost and injured in war and their families and friends; civilians and soldiers and the 18 veterans who commit suicide each day.
My own son returns to Iraq as a civilian contractor about July 1, 2011.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Come to the Table, All Are Invited
On Friday evening, I attended the 8th grade graduation mass and ceremony for my oldest grandson, James Charles. He graduated from Nativity Catholic School in Brandon FL. We all sat in the same pew, the last section in the large church.
Before liturgy Lisa introduced me to the women behind us. One of them, I will call her Mary, said "I am an Episcopalian" I thought this a funny way to introduce herself, it was the graduation of her grandchild and not really connected to one's faith journey in a direct way. I felt she must be feeling out of sorts being in a Roman Catholic church with a grandchild graduating from a Roman Catholic school.
This parish priest is abiding by Roman's latest dictates about "Sacred Space and quiet before mass" instead of meeting your neighbor to become part of a worshiping community as became the norm after Vatican II. JC's aunt and I joked about his directives and wondered out loud how we could "disobey." We talked and laughed and violated this negation of the gathering of the worshiping community.
When Rev Dagmar RCWP attends a parish, she was the wife of the Governor of Ohio, she does not receive Communion by going through the line. Instead it has become the custom that a member of the parish will go to Communion, bring it back to the pew and offer it to Dagmar. Dagmar receives via the believing community, the ones that do understand that although she is "excommunicated by Rome" Dagmar remains a Roman Catholic.
As I joined the line to receive Communion, the Spirit prompted me, "Receive Communion but do not eat it. Offer it to Mary." I took the wafer in my hand and returned to the pew. Mary was sitting in the pew behind me. I remained standing, "Mary would you like to receive Communion?" "I am Episcopalian" she replied. "I know and I offer you Communion." "Yes," was her reply. I broke the wafer in half and gave it to her, "This is the Body of Christ." I received the host and sat down.
After the liturgy on the way out, Mary said, "I want to thank you for your hospitality. For giving me Communion." I smiled and whispered to her, "I am a RCWP and all are welcome at the table" She hung on to my hand, "I have heard of you, not you personally, but your group. I am so happy to meet you." We hugged and said, "God bless"
All are welcome at the table, in this offering we offer hospitality of equal daughters and sons in Christ our Beloved Brother. I had never had the opportunity to offer the Bread of Life before. I will again. I know that Sofia is happy that I stepped out of my comfort zone to extend God's love to another daughter.
A Blessed Memorial Day everyone as we remember.
Before liturgy Lisa introduced me to the women behind us. One of them, I will call her Mary, said "I am an Episcopalian" I thought this a funny way to introduce herself, it was the graduation of her grandchild and not really connected to one's faith journey in a direct way. I felt she must be feeling out of sorts being in a Roman Catholic church with a grandchild graduating from a Roman Catholic school.
This parish priest is abiding by Roman's latest dictates about "Sacred Space and quiet before mass" instead of meeting your neighbor to become part of a worshiping community as became the norm after Vatican II. JC's aunt and I joked about his directives and wondered out loud how we could "disobey." We talked and laughed and violated this negation of the gathering of the worshiping community.
When Rev Dagmar RCWP attends a parish, she was the wife of the Governor of Ohio, she does not receive Communion by going through the line. Instead it has become the custom that a member of the parish will go to Communion, bring it back to the pew and offer it to Dagmar. Dagmar receives via the believing community, the ones that do understand that although she is "excommunicated by Rome" Dagmar remains a Roman Catholic.
As I joined the line to receive Communion, the Spirit prompted me, "Receive Communion but do not eat it. Offer it to Mary." I took the wafer in my hand and returned to the pew. Mary was sitting in the pew behind me. I remained standing, "Mary would you like to receive Communion?" "I am Episcopalian" she replied. "I know and I offer you Communion." "Yes," was her reply. I broke the wafer in half and gave it to her, "This is the Body of Christ." I received the host and sat down.
After the liturgy on the way out, Mary said, "I want to thank you for your hospitality. For giving me Communion." I smiled and whispered to her, "I am a RCWP and all are welcome at the table" She hung on to my hand, "I have heard of you, not you personally, but your group. I am so happy to meet you." We hugged and said, "God bless"
All are welcome at the table, in this offering we offer hospitality of equal daughters and sons in Christ our Beloved Brother. I had never had the opportunity to offer the Bread of Life before. I will again. I know that Sofia is happy that I stepped out of my comfort zone to extend God's love to another daughter.
A Blessed Memorial Day everyone as we remember.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
A Prayer for Healing-for One Who Mourns
Tonight after liturgy, a woman asked for healing prayer.
Bishop Bridget Mary, Tom, Terry and myself would pray for her healing. I did not know that both Terry and Tom had been married before and each of their first spouses had died. This was the first time M and friends had come to Mary, Mother of Jesus community's liturgy.
M had recently lost her husband after only 15 days of knowing he was ill. "We thought he had sciatica" She is a Social Worker, "I thought I would be over it already" It has only been less than a month since his sudden death.
M said "I think God led me here tonight" She had been attending liturgy at her parish but needed a "caring community" she didn't find it in her own parish. We listened to M's story. We prayed for the Spirit of Comfort and Peace to come to her. Tom and Terry shared the story of each becoming a widow/widower. Their feelings and insights offered in comfort and M felt she had been listened to.
Their most important sharing was in response to M saying, "I want to know he is okay. I want to know he is all right." Tom and Terry each shared about how their first spouses are still with them-in their hearts.
We promised to keep M in our prayers till we met her again. I gave her my card so she could call anytime. I said, "I am ready for lunch and talk anytime you want."
We all gave thanks that M came to MMOJ and that our team of pray-ers was made up of two persons who had lost spouses. It was a synchronicity that reveals God's presence in the world.
Suffering and loss are inescapable as humans. What we can do is hold each other in love and the Compassion of God. God is the healing, we are vessels. From my point of view: we put a bug in God's ear, as the saying goes, "From your lips to God's ear"
It is a Sacred calling to be asked to pray for another, a sacred trust that must not be broken. Healing everyone from our God of Compassion.
Bishop Bridget Mary, Tom, Terry and myself would pray for her healing. I did not know that both Terry and Tom had been married before and each of their first spouses had died. This was the first time M and friends had come to Mary, Mother of Jesus community's liturgy.
M had recently lost her husband after only 15 days of knowing he was ill. "We thought he had sciatica" She is a Social Worker, "I thought I would be over it already" It has only been less than a month since his sudden death.
M said "I think God led me here tonight" She had been attending liturgy at her parish but needed a "caring community" she didn't find it in her own parish. We listened to M's story. We prayed for the Spirit of Comfort and Peace to come to her. Tom and Terry shared the story of each becoming a widow/widower. Their feelings and insights offered in comfort and M felt she had been listened to.
Their most important sharing was in response to M saying, "I want to know he is okay. I want to know he is all right." Tom and Terry each shared about how their first spouses are still with them-in their hearts.
We promised to keep M in our prayers till we met her again. I gave her my card so she could call anytime. I said, "I am ready for lunch and talk anytime you want."
We all gave thanks that M came to MMOJ and that our team of pray-ers was made up of two persons who had lost spouses. It was a synchronicity that reveals God's presence in the world.
Suffering and loss are inescapable as humans. What we can do is hold each other in love and the Compassion of God. God is the healing, we are vessels. From my point of view: we put a bug in God's ear, as the saying goes, "From your lips to God's ear"
It is a Sacred calling to be asked to pray for another, a sacred trust that must not be broken. Healing everyone from our God of Compassion.
Our First Reported Healing Tonight
I have been attending ARCWP Bishop Bridget Mary's parish Mary Mother of Jesus in Sarasota. Tonight was our final night together as Bridget Mary and her father return to VA until November. Our community has begun a journey to find, understand and live our God of Compassion.
It is our tradition to pray for healing/concerns of all who request prayer after Mass. Usually three or four of us pray, laying our hands on the person requesting prayer. Jack and Tom each pray in tongues as I have never received that gift of the Spirit.
A month or so ago a woman came for prayer. I will call her M. She had been injured in an accident 2 years prior and had not been without pain since. She couldn't leave her home. M attended our liturgy and asked for prayer from our prayer team. Earlier this week Terry received a phone call from her aunt.
After the healing prayer for M, the same night the woman woke in the middle of the night. M knew something had happened in her body but couldn't tell, the pain was lessened. And each day after the pain lessened until M was completely pain free. She gives her healing over to God and our intercessory prayer for her.
M is now again active in her life, driving and delivering meals to shut-ins twice a week.
We give thanks for God's grace and healing for M. We give thanks to the God of Compassion expressed in the world through our words and actions. Amen.
It is our tradition to pray for healing/concerns of all who request prayer after Mass. Usually three or four of us pray, laying our hands on the person requesting prayer. Jack and Tom each pray in tongues as I have never received that gift of the Spirit.
A month or so ago a woman came for prayer. I will call her M. She had been injured in an accident 2 years prior and had not been without pain since. She couldn't leave her home. M attended our liturgy and asked for prayer from our prayer team. Earlier this week Terry received a phone call from her aunt.
After the healing prayer for M, the same night the woman woke in the middle of the night. M knew something had happened in her body but couldn't tell, the pain was lessened. And each day after the pain lessened until M was completely pain free. She gives her healing over to God and our intercessory prayer for her.
M is now again active in her life, driving and delivering meals to shut-ins twice a week.
We give thanks for God's grace and healing for M. We give thanks to the God of Compassion expressed in the world through our words and actions. Amen.
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