The Rev. Shirley Bowen

The tree on the Portland campus dedicated on September 11, 2011 reminds us that when those attacks took place, we didn’t know how we’d go on, but we have.  Another hateful act has rocked our world; more people have died and suffered grave injury.  But the tree has continued to grow, to blossom and leaf, to rest in winter, and to begin again each spring.  Life is resilient.

The explosions in Boston on Monday were powerful.  The pain on the part of those whose loved ones were killed, and on the part of those injured is powerful.  The hatred that motivated the act, and the fear and anger it provoked are powerful.

But our gathering in solidarity and sympathy is more powerful still.  Solidarity, because it means we are one people, is more powerful.  Sympathy, because it means we are being with, feeling with, those who grieve and ache and must heal, is more powerful.  Solidarity and sympathy have more power to carry the day.  They have the power to redeem this divided, killing, maiming, aching, and yet somehow resilient world.

In solidarity and in sympathy, we hold in our minds and hearts all those impacted by the horrible events of Monday in Boston.