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Walking for peace is hard work.
I imagine most of you are familiar with the Walk for Peace, the 120-day, 2,300-mile journey undertaken by Buddhist monks — with loyal dog, Aloka — who are walking from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C.
They walk in silence to raise awareness of peace, loving kindness, and compassion across America and the world.
I cannot think of anything we now need more.
They have made a vow, a spiritual commitment for their journey:
"We walk not to protest, but to awaken the peace that already lives within each of us. The Walk for Peace is a simple yet meaningful reminder that unity and kindness begin within each of us and can radiate outward to families, communities, and society as a whole." Bhikkhu Paññākāra
Walking might not seem like much of way to bring peace. Sometimes people scoff at prayer as a limp way to bring peace.
I disagree.
How we walk is a choice. Who we walk with is a choice. Where we walk is a choice.
And to me prayer is one of the most important parts of our walking.
St. Francis of Assisi spoke more pointedly to this in saying: It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching.
Our walking is our preaching. Whether it be on the streets, at the barricades, or in the grocery store line.
Our walking is our preaching. Our walking tells the story of what we believe. What we pray for, what we practice.
In Epsicopo language: lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi – What we pray, we believe, what we believe we live.
In other words, walk the walk.
You won’t be alone. God is there. Emmanuel.
Malinda
image from the Walk for Peace FB group
Learn more about the Walk for Peace
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