This Lunar New Year gives us the opportunity to celebrate the Year of the Snake. With celebration comes joy, and joy is a sign of enlightenment. The Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh says: “Enlightenment is always there. Small enlightenment will bring great enlightenment. If you breathe in and are aware that you are alive - that you can touch the miracle of being alive - then that is a kind of enlightenment.”
And so today we pray: may we be enlightened enough to notice the blessings of each day; to value all persons for their presence, their gifts, their contributions to the ongoing evolution of our civilization. May we banish from our hearts fear, prejudice, arrogance, and all that would prevent us from appreciating the beauty of creation, and the joy we can share in truly encountering one another. May we be open to insight, wisdom, and creativity in this New Year.—AMEN.