The points of pain in our world are so many and so deep

            Israel, Palestine, Ukraine, Maine, Acapulco

            Merely to say the names burdens our souls

            With heartache and with memories of other pains

            Aligned along previous pains in a sad progression

            Of human sin and error

            And suffering and sadness

            That turns our faith to ashes

            Where is the way forward to that world of liberty, peace, and justice we seek?

            Where is the path?  Where is the door?

            Where is the light that leads to the land, free from anger, free from fear, free from want?

            Today, we stumble in darkness

            Or in darkness we sit and weep

            Because grief and confusion are appropriate

                        And our souls are tender and need our care

            But, in time,

            Because we are strong, and smart, and good

            And because anger, fear, and want, are not absolute in a universe created by Love.

            We will rise

                        And wipe our tears

            And find the light within ourselves

            And find the door that opens out

            And find the path that leads from pain to hope and promise

            And walk the path, joined by neighbors and strangers in a communion of struggle

            Until all together we enter the world community

                        Of liberty, peace, and justice.

            Amen.