Flags of honor and solidarity. (c) 2016 John M. Kingery – all rights reserved.
We all aware of the tragedies that have taken place over the past 6 months in Paris, San Bernardino and Brussels. Lives have been lost and forever scarred. We can respond with despair or resolve.
A few weeks ago after the events in Brussels, flags of state, county and city offices were taken to half mast. I thought to myself, is there something more that could be done to honor and be in solidarity with the victims? If government offices lower their flags, why don’t businesses and places of worship do the same?
On my lunch hour, I went to various hotels and banks in downtown Portland to see what they are doing. Some of the establishments did have their flags at half-mast and some did not. I am only on a single person with only so much time.
As the apostle Paul wrote – “If [one] part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy.”
Sixteen years ago, over 230 religious leaders gathered in Assisi to pray for peace. The result was a pledge for peace. The first declaration is:
“We commit ourselves to proclaiming our firm conviction that violence and terrorism are incompatible with the authentic spirit of religion, and, as we condemn every recourse to violence and war in the name of God or of religion, we commit ourselves to doing everything possible to eliminate the root causes of terrorism.”
http://www.justiceatthetable.com/social-justice-principles/solidarity/assisi-pledge-for-peace/
Consider sponsoring 3 Days in May for flags of honor and solidarity in your communities. The lowering of flags to half mast would take place at houses of worship, businesses and neighborhoods. Violence affects us all.
Thank you for your prayerful consideration.
Peace, justice, mercy and love to all,
John