For this Sunday, August 24th, the focus for our meditation will
be on Respite. Much disruption has been left in the wake of
the riots in Ferguson, Missouri. Stores
have been forced to close to prevent or repair the damage from looting, and
schools have likewise delayed their opening by a week. As a result, families with children are
struggling not only to find groceries but also how to keep them safely occupied
until life returns to normal. In
response, numerous community and church groups have set up food banks as well
as supervised drop-in centers so families can obtain food and have a safe place
for their children to play while they wait for schools to open. The Respite
from strife has been gratefully welcomed by residents, thankful to have their
worries relieved as to how to feed their families and let their children safely
burn off steam. Recognizing there was a
need, various groups stepped up and took action to provide this essential Respite for the members of their
community. It is unfortunate that this
sort of positive response doesn’t make the evening news quite as readily as the
negative violence that preceded it.
However, we can use this event as an incentive to look at our own
communities and see if there are others around us who may also be in need of Respite. Perhaps there is someone dealing with a
serious illness who would love some company or a cooked meal. Or maybe someone who is serving as the caregiver
for a family member with around-the-clock needs would love a couple of hours Respite just to be able to get out and
run some errands without worrying about leaving their loved one alone for too
long. This week let us consider how we
might improve our own neighborhoods, towns, and cities by reaching out to
others in need and offering them Respite
in the way of time, comfort, companionship, or whatever will ease their burden even
for a moment. Let us ask that this
willingness to offer Respite to
others ripple across this nation, filling it with more kindness and generosity
in its wake.
In our efforts this week let us also continue to use the
energy of our prayers and meditation to amplify the light that covers and fills
this nation. As we perform our
meditation this week let us begin by re-energizing the brilliance and power of
the light we create. Just as before,
begin by forming a concentrated ball of light that is so bright it is almost
impossible to look directly at it. Raise
this sphere of light up high over the entire nation and then let its rays
cascade down to create a solid, impenetrable dome of light that completely
covers every inch of our country. From
shore to shore and border to border let the entire continent be filled with
this brilliant, dense light that will serve to magnify the best and highest
qualities of our country and the people who live across its vast lands.
Please follow the same practice as before: Get centered in
your body, ask to bring in your guides and others who are there to assist us,
and connect to the circle of others participating in this project.
Ask yourself how do I feel when I have been able to provide Respite to another person in need? How does it feel in my body when I recognize
the relief and healing that comes when Respite
is made available to those under stress?
Then send the energy and intention of those feelings to the nation.
Be sure to disconnect from the circle at the end and express
thanks for those who have helped us in this effort.
If you have feedback or experiences you would like to share please let me know via e-mail to k_miritello@bellsouth.net or kmiritello@gmail.com
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