Refuge...and safety - July 20, 2012

We read in this week’s Torah portion of the command

to create cities of refuge,

places to where one who caused a death

unintentionally or accidentally

could flee to escape the relative of the victim

who was coming to take vengeance, to settle the score

in order to restore a balance between the two families.

One who committed manslaughter 

was still responsible for taking a life,

enough that he or she would need to stay in the city of refuge

until the death of the high priest there 

would reestablish a communal equilibrium 

that took justice and mercy into account.

In the here and now,

we know that there are times when our actions

may cause unintentional hurt

sometimes based on misunderstanding

or a lack of full awareness of all circumstances 

related to a given situation.

We ask for forgiveness during the High Holy Days

for those actions that we committed inadvertently

and we hope that we can depend on 

the compassion and patience of others 

to give us space when we err

to offer us the possibility to make things right

and to restore a balance of respect, cooperation 

and fellowship within a community.

We hope that our congregation, our city, and our nation

can offer a sense of refuge

where we can find support at difficult and challenging times,

knowing that we can return to a right path 

with the help and guidance of friends, neighbors and family.

In order to continue to face life with strength and hope,

we occasionally try to take a break from our routines

to renew and refresh our spirits.  

Those are not the times when we would expect 

that tragedy would intervene

to remind us of the precious nature of every moment.

The terrorist attack on the Israeli travelers 

on a tour bus in Bulgaria

two days ago

and the shooting of moviegoers in Aurora, Colorado 

early this morning

may make us wonder if we can truly find refuge and safety

in our daily lives at those very times

when we hoped to find escape 

from routine worries and stresses. 

At a time like this, we realize, again,

that minor disagreements, ongoing arguments and

our struggle between focusing on personal needs, 

on the one hand,

communal concerns, on the other,

matter little in the face of threats to our very lives

or the well-being of other members of the human family.

And so we pray…

Eternal One,

be with the families of the victims of those

who died in these tragedies this week,

acts of violence perpetrated by individuals

who saw no value whatsoever in the lives

of the people that they murdered or injured.

Help family members and friends of the victims

to deal with their pain,

to move through this time of shock, sadness and grief

with a sense that many people are with them

and that You are with them

Enable them to sustain the memory of the victims 

in order to continue to give meaning 

to their years among us.

Teach us to value every moment,

Guide us to create a community and a nation

based on mutual support, compassion and respect,

where we use our words and our energies

to heal and not to hurt, 

to build up and not to break down.

Remind us that all human beings are connected

not only when tragic events occur

but at all times.

God our shelter, be with us on all of our journeys,

and help us see every departure and safe arrival and return

as a privilege and a new opportunity

to appreciate the very gift of our lives.