The ancient Hebrew poet Qohelet composed lines that comprehend the nature of existence. In fourteen pairs, the range of life’s experiences is described, bounded by birth and death and war and peace. I invite you to listen and reflect:

1  There is a season for everything
    and a time for every matter under the heavens:

2  a time for giving birth and a time for dying,
    a time for planting and a time for uprooting what was planted,

3  a time for killing and a time for healing,
    a time for tearing down and a time for building up,

4  a time for crying and a time for laughing,
    a time for mourning and a time for dancing,

5  a time for throwing stones and a time for gathering stones,
    a time for embracing and a time for avoiding embraces,

6  a time for searching and a time for losing,
    a time for keeping and a time for throwing away,

7  a time for tearing and a time for repairing,
    a time for keeping silent and a time for speaking,

8  a time for loving and a time for hating,
    a time for war and a time for peace.

(Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 CEB)

Would you lift your hearts with me?

You who are the ground of all being, by whatever name we call you,

•      renew in us gratitude for the lives and sacrifices of our forebears
•      grant us peace to soothe the sorrow that accompanies our memories of the dead
•      strengthen us to continually fight for equity so that their deaths will not have been in vain.

And may we

•      be devoted in our duties to those who have gone ahead,
•      be committed to those whom we are responsible for in the present,
•      leave a legacy of faithfulness, goodness, and kindness.

So may it be, Lord, and Amen.