God of Heaven and of Earth
Of plunging and of rising
We gather each year
to pray
to remember that on a day such as this
a day on the far edge of summer
with cerulean skies
the world changed.
We gather to ring bells
and celebrate heroes
ordinary folks
some of good character
some not so much.
On a day such as this
death still comes from the sky
drones executing without trial
the guilty and the innocent
bombs carry lethal gas
and mobs attack.
On a day such as this
many innocents are imprisoned
by Jihadis in caves and villages
by us in Guantanamo
where torture is the rule
and life is trampled under the heel of fear.
On a day such as this
diplomats negotiate
wise teachers call us to common ground
protesters demand peace
first responders protect and rescue.
On a day such as this we call on You
a God we know as compassionate
a God whose image we claim.
Mark us with your compassion
that each year we might leave behind a little of our grief
might shed a little of our anger
that we might become what you call us to be
people of memory and of promise
bearers of covenant and builders of hope.
We pray in the name of love
In the name of your great I AM
for we are
and You are with us.
Amen.