Former Roman Catholic nun, Barbara Mayer, pays tribute to Kayla Mueller, a 26-year-old American captured and murdered by Islamic extremists.
Sedona AZ (February 12, 2015) – There is a saying in Zen that we keep becoming what we always were. Some of us take a long lifetime to reach any potential we may have, and some people die with a good part of their soul songs still unheard.
Then there is Kayla Mueller. As the sad news that this daughter of Arizona and our neighbor Prescott has lost her life as a captive in the savage chaos of rebels against humanity itself, we can now take heart that this young woman’s beautiful soul song is being heard with great clarity in every part of this planet. At a young age she had already understood that spending one’s life responding to the cries of the world is the very epitome of highest human endeavor. She had learned to follow her heart. Through her tireless dedication to ease the cries of the suffering and marginalized, she also showed us the possibilities of a new way of being — living with compassion and inclusion of all.
Just a few days ago I was in Prescott, doing what many people do – having lunch at the Texas Steak House and shopping for special treats at Trader Joe’s. Now I cannot help but contrast the simple joys I shared there with my friends on “the other side of the mountain” – with what those last days of Kayla Mueller’s life were like. She was in the last steps of her own journey, about to become a martyr for the highest levels of humanity and human consciousness itself.
Also, in a time when many older people look askance at the so-called Millennials – 18-34 year olds, 26 year old Kayla and her sacrifice, as well as her dedication to bettering the true spirit of humanity, reminds us age has nothing to do with achieving one’s highest human and spiritual potential.
As we deeply mourn the death of this courageous and compassionate young woman, we celebrate her unselfish witness to basic human truth. We in Sedona and the Verde Valley extend our condolence to Kayla’s family and friends. We also honor this young woman who truly heard the cries of the world and responded to them wholeheartedly with her actions and literally with her own life energy.
Kayla Mueller has left us with her beautiful soul song echoing full and strongly in our memories and in our hearts. We will not forget her.
This SedonaEye.com article written by the Rev. Barbara Mayer, a poet, author and interfaith/inter-spiritual minister who lives, writes and shares the Spirit in Sedona, Arizona.
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And now abide in faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13)
The difference between Islam and Christianity? Hope and love.
Appreciates this.
It’s time to recognize terror and the recent government poll that show 25% of Muslims approve and support this in their belief system.
Sharing this with my social network!
Words our family has lived by for generations are the 10 commandments. God bless. Our church body is remembering Kayla and family in prayers. Amen.
Appreciated this.
We cry for babies around the world and trying not to hate because we are good Catholics.
Pray for the innocents in Heaven and lighting candles for them. To Kayla family in Prescott we grieve.
Nice Reverend
Once more we see Muslims screaming about the attacks on them BUT WHAT ABOUT THE MUSLIMS SCREAMING ABOUT THE ATTACKS ON THE INNOCENTS AMONG THEM AND THE WORLD. A billion people ruled by a few thousand? No. A billion people who support mass murder, genocide, hate crimes, intolerance, anarchy, theocracy, and lack humanity and compassion because they don’t stand up to the few thousand. Let’s learn to talk apples to apples. If I’m wrong then prove it Muslim communities in Arizona. Time for you to hang a banner across the front of the Phoenix mosque saying we condemn murder in the name of Allah and organize a march that says We stand with Kayla and other innocents in condemning ISIS and other terrorists in the name of Allah. No more free passes in America and the world. No more rights to promote hate. No more rights to stand silent in support of murder and genocide. I’m not a Christian or a Jew or any other religion but I know right from wrong and can stand for it. It’s simple but it means you have to get off your knees and discard the nose rings.
12 Christians beheaded today by Islamic terrorists after Kayla, a Muslim pilot burned alive, and other beheadings.
Where are you crying out for these innocents? No one hears you. Why are you turning away from evil? Evil is here.
So where do you stand? Where do YOU stand, each and every reader?
They are coming for you. They came for Kayla. This is the moment in time that demands Muslims disavow jihad of any kind or find themselves at odds with all of civilization.
Reverend it’s time to defend right against tyranny. It is time to fight with words and actions. It is not the time to pretend evil doesn’t exist.
Sad so so sad those hateful people did this to a sweet girl trying to help the. God help her family. God help everyone be safe.