Then, just being kind, just being patient, just showing love for thy fellow man; that is the manner in which an individual works at becoming aware of the consciousness or the Christ Spirit.
— Edgar Cayce Reading 272-9
While watching the late President Jimmy Carter’s funeral last Thursday, I was struck by the image of the military honor guard pallbearers carrying the casket. I’ve probably witnessed hundreds of funerals with pallbearers, but this one started me thinking. As in most of these ceremonies, there were eight pallbearers. That means the weight of the casket is distributed among the eight. I saw this symbolically as the burden of mourning being divided among the eight, and that mourning shared lessens the suffering and emotional toll.
Before and after the state funeral was being televised, reports of the devastating fires in California filled the screen. I cannot even imagine what the suffering and emotional toll is like for those who have lost family, their homes and their entire communities. The trauma of sudden evacuation, split second decisions on what to take and preserve, and leaving homes that they have lived in for decades is inconceivable. How may we lessen the suffering and emotional toll?
And then my thoughts turned to those around the world in war-torn areas and places stricken with starvation and disease. How may we lessen the suffering and emotional toll?
Is it possible for those of us who bear witness to these tragic events to become symbolic “pallbearers” and “share the burden,” lessening the suffering and emotional toll? From my perspective we can. Spiritually, we may offer up our prayers. Emotionally, we may offer comfort and support to those we know personally that are affected. And materially, we may make donations to organizations that are providing relief to those afflicted.
As “people of spirit,” we can embrace all of our sisters and brothers with compassion, support, and love.
