A Kyrie for Today

In peace, in peace, let us pray to the Lord

Kyrie Eleison

For peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord

Kyrie Eleison

For the peace of the whole world…

For the peace of the whole world.

Peace—peace.

Not the stillness of children killed with chemicals.

But peace.

Not the slaughter of civilians or the rise of radical rebels

But peace

Not cruise missiles with their GPSes saying “recalculating.”

But peace

Not “kinetic military actions”

But peace

Kyrie Eleison

Knee-jerk politicians and pundits

A count down clock to a new ratings bonanza

Partisanship and cable channel loyalty informing the flock more than our faith

And our faith has things to say about this, you know!

For 2000 years we’ve struggled with being faithful in the world as it is

Faithful in times of persecution, famine, feast, power.

Kinetic military action, and yes, even war.

The line that sticks in my soul

From my tradition

Is this:

"Any decision for war must be a mournful one."

Kyrie/Christe/Kyrie Eleison--Amen