As war with Iraq hurtles towards inevitability, it is time, more than ever, to reach out to those around us, to find common ground and pray for peace. An amazing opportunity for communal sharing took place on March 16 - a glorious Sunday afternoon at the Cathedral of St. Paul. Called the “Funeral Service of Scripture and Prayer for the Not Yet Dead in War,” it was a gathering of people of faith - all faiths - to pray deeply for all who will be affected by the ravages of war. A truly all-denomination gathering, the worship service was organized by clergy and leaders from the Urban Strategy of the St. Paul Area Synod (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America), the Islamic Center of Minnesota, the ISAIAH clergy caucus, the Episcopal Peace Fellowship and the Minnesota Council of Churches.
The purpose of the gathering was twofold - to meet as an inter-denominational group to pray for the victims of war, and then to march peacefully, behind symbolic caskets, to the state capitol.
As I entered the Cathedral, I was pleased to see the warmly lit, fragrant interior filled with people. As more and more people streamed in the side doors, an impressive line of clergy began to gather along the back, waiting to proceed together to the altar. To see them making their way to the front of the Cathedral was awe-inspiring. There were so many different faces - so many colorful stoles, wraps and symbols of peace. There were men and women of various ethnic backgrounds and of various dominations - dozens and dozens of them. I couldn’t tell who represented which faith and it didn’t matter. It was powerful to see them all together - praying for peace. And it was powerful to be praying with them.
They streamed past a line of coffins on their way to the altar. The coffins were there to remind us of the cost of war.
Rev. Grant Stevenson of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church and Dr. Hamdy El-Sawaf, executive director of the Islamic Center of Minnesota, called the participants to worship with these words:
“We are gathered together at people of diverse faiths to support in prayer all those who are in harm’s way in the impending war with Iraq. The caskets we carry are intended as a poignant reminder that this war will incur casualties. Obvious as this may seem, it is one of the least discussed aspects of this war. We hope today to raise our own awareness and others to the human cost. We desire, too, to raise our prayers, as one human family, to God.”
This call to worship was quickly melded with an opening prayer, authored by Christian, Jewish and Muslim clergy. The prayer thanked God for the splendors of creation and asked for forgiveness for the violation of this creation. It gave gratitude for the love God shares with all of us - regardless of faith. It asked God to grant our leaders the gifts of mutual respect for others, restraint in the exercise of power and the will for peace and justice for all.
The service moved into a litany for all those who will be affected in various ways by war in Iraq. We prayed for all those who are in danger of death in the Middle East and across the world; for the victims of terrorist acts; for men, women and children suffering from poverty and lack of medical care and food in Iraq; for men and women in military service in the United States and England and other forces who are in danger; for the families of our armed forces; for the men and women in the military in Iraq and their families; for Israeli and Palestinian men, woman and children who are in increased danger or will die because of this war with Iraq; for our leaders across the world; and for our own silent prayers.
We listened and reflected on the word of God from the Christian tradition. Readings from Lamentations 3:22-26, 31-33 and Matthew 5:3-9 were offered as well as Christian prayers. This was followed by scripture and prayers from the Islamic tradition.
For me, the highlight of the service was the reciting of the Qur’an in Arabic. There were four passages recited - and each was hauntingly beautiful. To hear the words of Allah sung - and resonate within the cavernous space - was truly mesmerizing. The place was literally filled with the music of the words. As I sat with my eyes closed and was lulled by the words, I knew I could have stayed all day and listened.
The end of the service came all too quickly. We were instructed to file out in a silent procession behind the peace pole, caskets and clergy, and proceed down John Ireland Blvd. to the state capitol. Nearly 2,000 people joined the procession - some with banners and signs and others with solemn, quiet purpose. We regrouped at the capitol with more prayers and the opportunity to burn pieces of incense with our own prayers to God. Throughout the procession and gathering, we were asked to think about the reasons that brought us there that day.
For me, I knew I had to go. Perhaps it was the need to be with peaceful, loving people in these unsettling times or perhaps it was the opportunity to offer my prayers for peace in a communal setting. I think it was many things. Nearly a day later, I am still full with the memory of that gathering of people - the sharing of love, faith and community.
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Jeanne Morales has been active at St. Joans for the past year. She loves working in her garden, attending the St. Joan of Arc Bible Study and sneaking off for camping trips when she has time. Jeanne can be reached at moralesj@Macalester.edu.
I hope there are more interfaith services and I hope that next time, it will be in celebration - that it won’t take war or death to bring us together.
