This report was written by Kathryn Gordon for the January 21st vigil
We were five vigilers this below-thirty Sunday. At the start, we had the sun bright in our faces for a few minutes before it sank behind the tall office buildings to our left. It shown then on the windows of the First Union building opposite, and on a flank of the tall silver lightning bolt sculpture, which I have come to appreciate more and more as I see what it does with the different angles of sunlight.
So the day was bright, but we stood in the shade and we were cold. A Friend from New Jersey came for the first time. He was either dressed very warmly, or remarkably centered, for it seemed to me he moved not once, and when asked by a Mayan Indian born in Mexico what we were doing answered carefully and well, whereas I shifted my weight, stomped my feet, and felt unready to speak. Was I letting mere physical sensation distract me from my purpose? I could ask that of the vigil, as of my life. I do ask it.
A few minutes later the young Mayan man, who told us he lived in Ohio, returned. What a powerful thing it is, he said, to stand up for what you believe in, to stand up and risk something. He spoke with such fervor, as if we had planned action much riskier than standing in front of a tourist attraction with permit in hand, and perhaps we had, or would, or would come to open to Spirit's guidance to do so. Later I would think of Jorge vigiling in Ecuador that very day, if not that very hour — the risks and sacrifices his witness entailed for him.
The Midwest Mayan invited us to join with the prayers of 10,000 people who gather in groups organized by Cherokees to pray for peace in the world every Thursday at 7:30 PM. He had a strong, good, wholesome presence, and it girded me to think of many others like him seeded throughout the country, throughout the world. And if our being there had given him at least as much encouragement as his stopping to talk had given us, then it was worth the cold.
How cold was it? Twenty-nine degrees by the KYW clock. As they say in Minnesota, Vermont, and other really cold places, could 'a been worse.
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