Aloha.
My name is Reverend Cindy Palos and I wanted to share a piece that I wrote after the fires happened in Lahaina.
And since that time,
Of course,
There were major fires in Los Angeles and all around the country.
But as I listen to this one more time today,
It also meant much more to me.
It meant also about the passing of loved ones and the transition that happens.
I've had some very close people to me pass away recently.
And I listened to this piece and it meant so much more.
I had the opening words from the Bible read by a firefighter and then I have the piece that I did back after the fires.
The oil of joy instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
A planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
Here's a garland for the ashes.
A prayer for what's been endured.
A new tree that's now planted with love as the sacred cure.
To all those who have suffered,
May you be blessed with a crown of light.
May the strength of understanding bring you forgiveness to set things right.
Here's a garland for the ashes.
A prayer for what's been endured with seeds of love now planted.
And that love is the sacred cure.
May the cloak of darkness be dropped to reveal the truth that lifts you high.
To be embraced by the soul of the universe with aloha that has survived.
Hold up the torch of light,
That flame lit in your soul.
Sing the hymn of humanity that unites us and makes us whole.
Here is a garland for the ashes.
A prayer for what has been endured.
And a new tree that is now planted with love as our sacred cure.
