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UNIVERSAL WORSHIP 9/11/02 3:00 AM

EUREKA SPRINGS, ARKANSAS

Theme:

Prayers for the Perpetrators

Toward the One,... (after lighting taper)

To the glory of the Omnipresent God, we kindle the light symbolically representing the...Hindu Religion, Buddhist Religion, Zoroastrian Religion, Native American Religion, Divine Feminine, Jewish Religion, Christian Religion, Religion of Islam (lighting each candle with the word kindle.)

To the glory of the Omnipresent God, we kindle the light symbolically representing all those who whether known or unknown to the world, have held aloft the light of Truth  through the darkness of human ignorance. (lighting the Spirit of Guidance candle)

Let us pray.  Saum   Praise be to  thee...(while facing the God candle)

We will read from the World Scriptures

We read in the Hindu Scriptures

"A superior being does not render evil for evil; this is a maxim one shuld observe; the ornament of virtuous persons is their conduct.  One should never harm the wicked or the good or even criminals meriting death.  A noble soul will ever exercise compassion even toward those who enjoy injuring others or those of cruel deeds when they are actually committing them -- for who is without fault?"

Ramayana, Yuddha Kanda 115

We offer to the Omniscient God, our reverence, our homage, and our gratitude for the Light of the Divine Wisdom.

We will read in the  Buddhist Scriptures

"He abused me, he beat me, he defeated me, he robbed me!"  In those who harbor such thoughts hatred is not appeased.

"He abused me he beat me, he defeated me, he robbed me!"  In those who do not harbor such thoughts hatred is appeased.

Hatreds never cease through hatred in this world; through love alone they cease.  This is an eternal law."

Dhammapada 3-5

We offer to the Omniscient God, our reverence, our homage, and our gratitude for the Light of the Divine Compassion

We will read in the Zoroastrian Scriptures

"May generosity triumph over niggardliness,

May love triumph over contempt,

May the true-spoken word triumph over the false-spoken word.

May truth triumph over falsehood."

Yasna 60.5

We offer to the Omniscient God, our reverence, our homage, and our gratitude for the Light of the Divine Purity

We will read in the Native American Scriptures

"Grandfather, look at our brokenness.  We know that in all creation only the human family has strayed from the Sacred Way.  We know that we are the ones who are divided.  And we are the ones who must come back together to walk in the Sacred Way.  Grandfather, Sacred One, teach us love, compassion, and honor that we may heal the earth and heal each other."

Ojibway Prayer

We offer to the Omniscient God, our reverence, our homage, and our gratitude for the Light of the Divine Nature

We will read in the Divine Feminine Scriptures

"Everything is plundered, betrayed, sold,

Death's great black wing scrapes the air,

Misery gnaws to the bone.

Why then do we not despair?

By day, from the surrounding woods,

Cherries blow summer into town;

At night the deep transparent skies

Glitter with new galaxies.

And the miraculous comes so close

To the ruined, dirty houses --

Something not known to anyone at all,

But wild in our breast for centuries."

Anna Akhmatova, Women in Praise of the Sacred, p. 208

We offer to the Omniscient God, our reverence, our homage, and our

gratitude for the Light of  the Divine Love

We will read in the Jewish Scriptures

 "...thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.",

Leviticus 19:18

 "What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man."

Talmud, Shabbat 31a

"God said, "Resemble Me; just as I repay good for evil so do you also repay good for evil."

Exodus Rabbah 26.2

We offer to the Omniscient God, our reverence, our homage, and our gratitude for the Light of the Divine Law

We will read in the Christian Scriptures

" You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy."  But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be the sons and daughters of your Father who is in heaven;"

Matthew 5: 43-45

"The Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?  As many as seven times?"

"Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven."

Matthew 18: 21-22

We offer to the Omniscient God, our reverence, our homage, and our gratitude for the Light of the Divine Self-Sacrifice

We will read in the Scriptures of Islam

"It may be that God will ordain love between you and those whom you hold as enemies.  For God has power over all things; and God is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful."

Qur'an 60.7

"Those who act kindly in this world will have kindness."

Qur'an  39.10

We offer to the Omniscient God, our reverence, our homage, and our gratitude for the Light of the Divine  Unity

We will now have a few minutes of silence (three minutes)

Let us pray Salat Most gracious Lord, Master Messiah,...(facing the God candle)

(Reading from the Gayan)...

"Consider your responsibility sacred.

Be polite to all.

Do  nothing which will make your conscience feel guilty.

Extend your help willingly to those in need.

Do not look down upon the one who looks up to you.

Judge not another by your own law.

Bear no malice against your worst enemy.

Influence no one to do wrong.

Be prejudice against no one.

Prove trustworthy in all of your dealings."

The Cooper Rules Vadan p. 165

We offer to the Omniscient God, our reverence, our homage, and our gratitude for the Light of the Divine Truth

Sermon on forgiveness and Prayer for Perpetrators.

PRAYER FOR PERPETRATORS

Found in Chapel of the Holy Innocents,

Norwich Cathedral, England

This prayer was found on a piece of wrapping paper in Ravensbruck, the largest concentration camp for women in Germany.

         "O Lord, remember not only the men and women of good will, but also those of ill will.  But do not remember all the suffering they have inflicted upon us, remember the fruits we bought thanks to this suffering: our loyalty, our humility, the courage, the generosity, the greatness of heart which had grown out of this, and when they come to judgement, let all the fruits which we have borne be their forgiveness.  Amen."

A reading of the names of the perpetrators

A blessing prayer for the perpetrators:

"Heal their spirits, Lord, from all wounds that their hearts have suffered or caused through this life of limitation upon the earth.  Purify their hearts with Thy Divine Light and send upon their spirits Thy Mercy, They Compassion, and Thy Peace.  Amen"

Listen to Pei Jesu

Let us pray  Khatum  O Thou, Who art the Perfection of Love, Harmony and Beauty... (facing the God candle)

Benediction (facing the congregation)