Dear Friends,

The Interfaith Peace Project is pleased to offer the following reflection celebrating the rise of women’s voice in our time. Please feel free to participate in our project by suggesting women whose voices ought to be heard.

We publish these on-going reflections on the eighth of every month in honor of March 8, International Women’s Day. We are hoping that you will engage your friends in reflective dialogue, maybe even form small discussion groups. Please share with us your feedback and reflections.

My mother anguished over the plight of abused and homeless children. She herself lived on the streets as a child abandoned by her father after her mother died. I can hear my mother cry from her grave, like Rachel of old, as the United States government continues its cruel policy of threatening to separate children from their parents at the Southern Border.Health and Human Resources recently announced it had lost track of 1500 refugee children fleeing violence in their homeland. These children are potentially exposed to human trafficking and child labor. Our government’s harsh rhetoric is leading to the dehumanization of people who see in America the hope of a better future and life. These are our brothers and sisters. We must welcome them with open arms and gratitude. They see in us what we often fail to see in ourselves. We are their hope. We must be grateful and generous as we share our blessings with those in need.

The verbal assault must end. It is an act of profound injustice to speak in ways harmful to the well-being of others, especially children. I am evoking my mother in intercessory prayer for the sake of all suffering, hurting and abandoned children. The voice of women, living and deceased, cries out for justice imbued with love, care and compassion.

• Call upon your loving mothers to bless the children of the World.
• See in the children yourself.
• May all of us open our hearts to the plight of the little ones.
• See in the children your hope.
• Witness to everyone you meet about the sufferings of so many children in our World.
• See in the children the longing to be loved and cherished.

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