On Yom Kippur we take collective responsibility for our lives and the life of the community in which we live. Although we realize that we did not create the world we were born into, nevertheless we have a responsibility for what it is like as long as we participate in it.

“…how precious is our earth, and how great the reward for those who cherish her and how great the consequences for those who abuse her.” -

Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address: Greetings to the Natural World…Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue…

When rich speculators prosper
while farmers lose their land;
when government officials spend money
on weapons instead of cures;
when the upper class is extravagant and irresponsible
while the poor have nowhere to turn—
all this is robbery and chaos.
It is not in keeping with the Tao.