Six Friends gathered for our prayer vigil on October 8 and five on October 15. Work in the Elevated/Subway train meant that shuttle buses were picking up large groups of passengers right in front of us, on Market Street. With the engines of two, three, maybe four buses deafening other sounds, we had a chance to offer our witness to countless residents of the eastern parts of North Philadelphia, Kensington, Frankford and the North East. Posters containing both English and Spanish, which one of us had used before in North Philadelphia, had been coincidentally brought along. They were now being held for spectators, most of whom probably spoke at least one of those languages.
During one of our vigils one adolescent woman looked at us very intently for a while from behind a bus window. Suddenly, she got up and disappeared. She returned and sat down, apparently writing down something on her lap, looking up again and again to read our signs, those in our hands and those displayed on the ground, leaning against the Liberty Bell Pavilion.
The following reflections were written by Kaki Sjoggren regarding her participation in the vigil on October 15:
The landscape is changing drastically across Market Street from our weekly vigil. Since our beginning about 18 months ago, the park grounds there have been under construction. It appears from a billboard that the trees and park benches are going to be replaced with another tall steel structure, which will hamper my view of the Benjamin Franklin Kite sculpture and will interfere with the flight of our resident Red Tailed Hawk. I deeply appreciate being able to settle into quiet in this noisy public space, but I am already struggling with the intrusion upon nature taking place across the street.
While at this vigil, I was contemplating a big personal sacrifice. I noticed three young men who came to our information table. They spoke briefly with Dan (one of five of us there). As they turned to leave, one of them looked me in the face and said, "Jesus is coming back." There was a time when I would have felt uncomfortable with this statement. But, with age I have gained appreciation for any deep seated beliefs. So, I wonder at such a prospect and hope I can recognize him/her upon arrival.
As for the sacrifice that had preoccupied my thoughts, it couldn't hurt more than sacrificing almost every Sunday afternoon to this peace vigil. It's interesting how the story of the life of the activist, Jesus, has become largely about the sacrifice of "God's son." I wonder if Jesus would do it all the same way if he had to do it over again ... if Jesus will do it the same way. Somehow, I think s/he has already done it differently, over and over again. We've just been too busy, preoccupied, or blocked by tall steel structures to notice.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE
Independence Mall Vigil for PeacePlease join us at our weekly prayer vigils for peace in the world, held in front of the Liberty Bell on Market St. between 5th and 6th, every Sunday from 4 to 5 PM. For more information, contact cityquake@aol.com.
In our reports, participants share their experiences of the prayer vigils and explore beliefs related to their participation. Reports reflect the experience of each author and do not necessarily represent the beliefs or practice of all vigil participants. We welcome your responses, which are forwarded to the individual authors (when possible). We sometimes include part of a response in a future report, unless you ask us not to.
It is meaningful to us that you share in the vigils by reading these reports and in other ways, such as joining us in prayer.
Last modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:18 AM