The great American poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote:
“If spring came but once a century instead of once a year, or burst forth with the sound of an earthquake and not in silence, what wonder and expectation there would be in all hearts, to behold the miraculous change.”

Because nature’s wonders happen on a regular basis, we often forget to notice how miraculous they really are. Too often we take for granted the beauty and the gifts of the natural world and only notice them when they are taken from us by flood, or fire, drought or earthquake.

Through religious festivals such as Easter and Passover, we are reminded to pay attention to the annual miracle of the earth’s reawakening every spring. And just as light and life return after a darkened winter, these holidays remind us that even into the darkest soul, light and redemption can take root as well.

May our eyes always be open to the miracles that have been bestowed upon us, and may it be God’s will that we continue to be witnesses to the miracle of Creation in its many daily manifestations. Amen.
 

Each of us have our own mountains to climb in life, heights we hope to scale, obstacles to overcome. But as we face these mountains of ours, we would do well to heed the advice of Sir Edmund Hillary who said “it is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.”

It is easy to be awed or intimidated by the mountains that loom before us. But even if what we seek to conquer seems as daunting as climbing Everest itself, we must first look inward to find the tools we need to endure the trials that we face.

We pray to the Holy One, the Creator of us all, to open up our eyes to the unrealized possibilities ready to be awakened within ourselves, and we humbly ask for the strength and stamina to always forge ahead. May this be God’s will--AMEN.
 

Oh Holy and Awesome God,

This week is a time of remembrance. This week will commemorate two genocides from the 20th century - the first was perpetrated against the Armenian people and the second against the Jewish people. In both of these genocides we were failed by unjust laws, and cruel governments that terrorized its citizens for the simple crime of being of different religions and different ethnicities.

We learn from the Bible that the true purpose of laws is not to encourage us do what comes easily, but to compel us to do what is needed to create a just and fair society. In the Bible we are commanded to both love our neighbors (Lev. 19:18) and to love the stranger who resides in our midst (Lev. 19:34).

O God you command us to do these things not because it comes naturally to us, but because when we don’t, we risk creating a society where the weak and the vulnerable can be persecuted for the simple crime of being weak and vulnerable.

Those who make laws hold in their hands great power. They have the ability to lift us up or to tear us apart.

May it be Your will oh God, that those who make laws will always be inspired by Your love and Your compassion for all that You have created. May this be God’s will. Amen.
 

We offer this day our thanks to Almighty God for the opportunity to gather here with this distinguished group of legislators and fellow citizens to jointly commemorate the 97th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and honor the 1.5 million innocent men, women, and children who from 1915 to 1923 fell victim to systematic genocide perpetrated by the
Ottoman Empire.

Each year in the month of April, Armenian communities in the four corners of the world pay tribute to the memory of our martyrs, and throughout the year strive to have our story heard, to shed light on the facts and realities of what really occurred nearly a century ago, to educate and simultaneously bring attention not just to the Armenian Genocide, but to genocides of ethnic groups that continue to this day.

As our history is tragically still being denied, revised, and ignored by modern-day Turkey and its allies, we beseech the Good Lord to grant us strength and patience during our struggle to attain full recognition, justice, and reparations for the few remaining survivors and descendents of both survivors and martyrs.

Today we also remember and honor the numerous international relief agencies, foreign consulates and embassies, including representatives of the United States government, who selflessly and courageously risked their own lives to help Armenian refugees who had miraculously managed to flee the atrocities. We also take this opportunity to convey our gratitude to the many countries, states, organizations, leading academic institutions worldwide, scholars, historians, and others, who have had the courage to publicly acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and condemn its denial.

As members of the largest Armenian community in the United States, we have had among us eyewitnesses to the Genocide, and countless children and grandchildren of survivors. Many of us can trace in our history relatives who perished or witnessed and survived the Genocide. Thus, as Armenian Californians, we thank our elected officials of the California State Legislature for their initiative in designating April 24, 2012, as “California Day of Remembrance for the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923”, and for their solidarity with their Armenian constituents on this somber occasion. With the guidance of Almighty God, our united efforts and resolve, and the strength of our voices and prayers, we are confident that truth and justice will prevail.

It is our prayer, hope, and wish, that this proclamation will encourage and inspire every country and state to follow in this example and acknowledge the historical truth that is the Armenian Genocide. Furthermore, we hopefully anticipate the end of religious and ethnic discrimination by modern-day Turkey and await the day when the persecution of Christian minorities in Turkey is put to an end and sacred sites are returned to their rightful owners.

May God guide our legislators in their endeavors and mission as they faithfully perform the duties entrusted to them as guardians of public interest, and lead them to continuous successes in their civil service to our beloved state of California that we so proudly call home.
May the blessings of our Lord be upon the United States, the champion of human rights and sanctuary of liberty, equality, and justice, protecting the leadership, armed forces, and citizens of this greatest of nations, keeping us in peace, safe from enemies visible and invisible, and may His mercy be upon us always.
Lord, we bow humbly before You to render our praise and gratitude for Your loving
kindness and bountiful blessings. Amen.
 

The famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, designed many beautiful homes, buildings, and many other incredible structures. Toward the end of his career, a reporter asked him, “Of your many beautiful designs, which one is your favorite?” Without missing a beat, Frank Lloyd Wright answered, “My next one.” As someone once said, Frank Lloyd Wright understood the principal of stretching, constantly pressing forward, never being satisfied simply with past successes. Dear Senators, all of California is waiting for your next great success.

Would you please pray with me:

Eternal God, we pray for our senators today and for their deliberations. May they stretch their thoughts and ideas and dream big dreams to help strengthen the well-being of each California for today and the years to come. This prayer we pray, --AMEN.
 

The 20th Century American poet, John Ciardi commented on society. He wrote: “Humanity cannot be measured by what it is; only by what it is trying to become.”
To be truly alive is to engage in an ongoing process of growth. Just as we as individuals need to continue to learn and develop, so do we as a society need to dream and strive to be more than what we are in the present.
To be judged based solely on who we are, is to see but part of a picture. We can only be fully understood by seeing how far we have come, and how much further we are trying to go.
May the Holy One of Blessing judge our efforts with compassion and grant us the fortitude to continue ever forward in our labors of creating a just and enlightened society. May this be God’s will.--AMEN.

O holy and wondrous God,
In Song of Songs, you gave us words of joy to express the beauty of spring, as it is written: “Behold! the winter is past and the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing is come..” (Song of Songs 2:11-12).

And yet, in this great State that we are blessed to live in, too often we take for granted the natural beauty of our land, not taking the time to appreciate and give thanks for the wonders that fill every corner of California.

So as the winter rains subside, and the lushness of our hillsides, the bounty of our farmland, the majesty of our forests, the sparkle of our lakes and the breathtaking beauty of our coasts shine in the California sun, let us give thanks to our Creator by taking the time to enjoy the gifts that we have so generously been given. May this be God’s will. Amen.
 

O God of all humanity:

It is a human need to ponder the meaning and value of life, to question what is necessary for the body and for the soul.

The theologian, C.S. Lewis pondered these questions and came to the conclusion that “Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.”

To be human is to desire to more than simply exist, to do more than just survive, we also contain within us a yearning to thrive.

May it be Your will Eternal God to grant us more than what is merely necessary to survive, may we also be worthy to receive the blessings that nourish our minds, give joy to our hearts, and value to our days. May this be God’s will. Amen.
 

O God of all humanity:
It is a human need to ponder the meaning and value of life, to question what is necessary for the body and for the soul.
The theologian, C.S. Lewis pondered these questions and came to the conclusion that “Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.”
To be human is to desire to more than simply exist, to do more than just survive, we also contain within us a yearning to thrive.
May it be Your will Eternal God to grant us more than what is merely necessary to survive, may we also be worthy to receive the blessings that nourish our minds, give joy to our hearts, and value to our days. May this be God’s will-AMEN.
 

O God of Freedom, Let us never forget the words of our noble President Abraham Lincoln when he urged us to give honor to the soldier, and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country`s cause. Honor also to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field, and serves, as he best can, the same cause."

Whether we are soldier or civilian, civil servant or private citizen, we should all remember that we are working for the same cause, for the betterment of our union, for the well being of all our citizens. Each of us has a role to play, a sacred duty to serve our country.

May it be the will of our Creator that in whatever ways we are called upon to serve we will step forward with eagerness, with dedication and with gratitude for this country that has given so much to each of us. And let us say-AMEN.

Holy One of Blessing, whose presence within us and around us
inspires us to be partners in the ongoing miracle of creation,
grant blessing and peace to this great state
and to its many millions of wondrously diverse inhabitants.

And fill with wisdom and courage
the legislators who have been chosen to occupy this chamber,
the leaders who possess the honor and the awesome responsibility
of serving and guiding the people of California.

For we know how great are the pressures upon those who lead,
How numerous are the obstacles to acting for justice.

O Source of Love and Goodness,
renew on this day, and on every day,
the restless spirits that first called our leaders to their service here,
the high ideals that have fueled their journeys
and defined their purpose.

Those spirits and ideals are needed now more than ever,
to combat the forces of cynicism and convenience
that entice us to accept less than we know is right.

In the Book of Proverbs, we are taught:
“Where there is no vision, the people perish.”
May those who lead us see with wide and determined eyes,
affirming again and again
the humbling public trust which has been placed in them.
Amen.

In honor of this Memorial Day weekend, I would like to offer a prayer that was given on the floor of the California State Senate by Rev. Torrance Phelps, the
Senate Chaplain in 1945. He offered this prayer on April 30, 1945, during the final days of the war in Europe.
o God of Glory:
Let us today look with new eyes upon the American Flag, whose glamourous beauty thrills us, and whose stars and stripes are the symbols of the history and ideals of America.
Let us glorify the red stripes that represent the sanguinary sacrifices of the legion of heroes who fought and died for our republican institutions, the red that flowed from Bunker Hill and Valley Forge to Gettysburg and Chateau Thierry, and the red that flowed from Normandy to Attu and the South Seas.
May the white represent the ideals of character, the white light of purity and goodness, the white light of Intelligence, and the bright light that streams from
liberty, justice, and equality of opportunity.

May the blue symbolize the spirit of fidelity which Nathan Hale exemplified and the fidelity which died on Guam rather than surrender, the fidelity which scoffed at the ring of steel at Bastogne and the fidelity which stayed at the post of duty like our martyred President, and the fidelity which today subordinates self interest in our own hearts to the general good of the Country.
May the stars in their own field of blue remind us of the many States in the Union, with their own local ambitions and interests that vie with ours, and that North and South, and East and West, must all be one and one for all.
God grant that this glorious banner, to which we pledge allegiance, may forever wave over a land of free men, who prize their blood-bought liberties, and who will ever strive for its unsullied glory.--AMEN.

As one of the people of California visiting the Capitol on this immigrant day, my prayer is that we who have been blessed by the choices and decisions of other people in the past can make wise decisions for the common good of all, for the future that is to come.

Let us pray.

Almighty Creator and giver of all grace.

We pray for wisdom and strength to follow through on the important decisions and commitments that are made in this place.

Today as we observe Immigrant Day, we pray for those who look for a better future.
We pray for their safety as we pray for justice and peace for all.

A special blessing over the members of this senate and their families, for our country and its people.

This is our prayer,--AMEN.
 

Let Us Look Higher to the God of our Recognition and Pray:

As we gather in this hallowed hall and contemplate our roles, let us remember with reverence and Operate in the spirit of one of our national treasures, Dr. Maya Angelou who transitioned two days ago.

She Crowned herself with Excellence
The Queen Mother of us All

A memory of royalty
Who challenged us to stand tall

Her face the image of dignity
Her eyes fired with pride

Her voice bellowed with majesty
Her words transcended time

She prized the secret of the verse
And turned it into art

And morphed the ugliness of man
To change the human heart

A champion of women
A goddess at her birth

A valiant knight for freedom
A Shero here on earth

To the famous and obscure
Her melodies did reach

From talkshow host to President
Her gratitude to teach

And from her storied, worded vault,
Sweet wisdom she did mine

She spoke those pearls of freedom
And dazzled young activist`s minds

America her classroom
The earth school her home
Africa her people
Infinity her throne

And the once songless caged bird
Who unthawed from crisis cold

Now whistles in the ethers
The echoes of her soul.

Grant us Dear God, the wisdom to rise to fill the void and reach the bar of
Excellence that has been set before us.

Let all those willing say, "Amen"

Rabbi Shoshanah King-Tornberg
Congregation B`nai Israel, Sacramento

In this season of the year, the Jewish calendar moves from the Exodus from the slavery of Egypt that is celebrated with Passover to the receiving of God’s teaching and way of life at Mt. Sinai, that is celebrated with Shavuot, or the Festival of the Giving of the Law later this month. This is an in-between time for the Israelites: they have tasted freedom for the first time, but they do not yet know how to live freely with a sense of responsibility. They do not know how to be an organized, functioning people now that they are no longer under slavery’s yoke. As they make their way through the thirst and discomfort of the wilderness, they begin to complain. Some even look back upon Egypt with the myopia of nostalgia, yearning for the “good old days” when they were slaves.

So often, we look back on the past and yearn for a false vision of where we have come from. This skewed view can prevent us from seeing how far we have come; it can prevent us from fully understanding how we might best build a future.

May the holy spark that each person in this room finds in their core drive this body forward into a future of vision, responsibility and clear-sightedness about where we have been. For each of us has a role in directing us all to where we must go together.

And let us say--AMEN
 

The great Maya Angelou died peacefully this morning. She was a national treasurer for our country and an inspiration to us all. She was a poet, an author, and a civil rights activist. She once wrote:

"Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope."

My dear senators, in your deliberations today, may you do so in the spirit of Maya Angelou by jumping hurdles, leaping fences and penetrating walls to bring hope to us all so that those who feel like they are the least, the last, the lost and the left out have a vision for a bright tomorrow.

Let us pray:

Eternal God, we pray for our Senators today and for their deliberations. May their work in these chambers help all Californians find a renewed hope for tomorrow. This prayer we pray.--Amen.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote: "God offers to every mind its choice
between truth and repose. Take which you please - you can never have

both."
The pursuit of knowledge and a quiet conscience cannot co-exist. A mind in pursuit of truth must also be open to what that truth might ask of him. If one wants a tranquil spirit then they must shield their eyes from the world.
In the choice between truth and repose, the public servant must choose truth, and with truth, we must also choose action.
May it be the will of our Creator that we not be satisfied in taking the easy path, but rather, may the Holy One help our spirits find fulfillment in the pursuit of truth in both our hearts and our deeds. May this be God`s will--AMEN.

This Sunday is Mother’s Day. Many of us will take the time to honor and acknowledge the mothers in our lives who have influenced us, nurtured us, and inspired us.

Golda Meir was more than the Prime Minister of her country, she was also a mother and grandmother. And these wise words she offered sound more like advice she would have given to her children than to her constituents, wise sentiments that echo what many of us have heard from our own mothers. She said:

“Trust yourself. Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life. Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.”

May the Holy One of Blessing help us find the sparks of possibility that dwell in each of us. May we have the self awareness to recognize them, and may these sparks illuminate our life so that we might find true happiness. May this be God’s will--AMEN

Members, today I want to talk about briefly about Johnny Cash. This great talent, whose songs gave great pleasure to many millions, was known as a rebel and an outlaw. And his life was not without its flaws. But underneath his exterior was a deep and abiding faith that guided him, gave him strength and informed his art.

These are lyrics from his song, “When the Man Comes Around”:

Till Armageddon, no Shalam, no Shalom.
Then the father hen will call his chickens home.
The wise men will bow down before the throne.
And at his feet they`ll cast their golden crown.
When the man comes around.

Whoever is unjust, let him be unjust still.
Whoever is righteous, let him be righteous still.
Whoever is filthy, let him be filthy still.
Listen to the words long written down, When the man comes around.
In measured hundredweight and penny pound.
When the man comes around.
If we open our eyes, we will find God’s blessing everywhere, and may we enjoy that grace as we work to build a better California together. --AMEN
 

Ralph Waldo Emerson once observed that: “All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.”
No one comes into this world with a clear plan for our lives. Every child that is born must make their own path, their own mistakes and their own opportunities. Emerson reminds us to live with boldness and curiosity and not to waste the precious time we are given by being a mere observer of our own life.
May the Holy One of Blessing grant us the courage to live our lives fully and with joy. May we live without regrets of lost opportunities and experiences, embracing the possibilities that life puts before us. May this be God’s will.--AMEN

O Holy and Gracious God,
Our country is a beautiful and elaborate tapestry woven with the rich textures and colors reflecting the many ethnic and religious groups that live throughout our land. Every group has contributed their own unique threads to our history and our culture, and we are a stronger nation because of it.
This weekend thousands of Californians will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo. It is a day for us to remember and appreciate the many contributions that Mexican Americans and all Hispanics have made to our country, and to our great State.
May we always remember to give thanks for the contributions made by all of the people of California, and the many ways which the blessing of diversity enriches our lives. May this be God’s will--AMEN.

In honor of Memorial Day weekend, I would like to offer a special prayer this morning. It was a prayer given by Rev. Torrance Phelps, the Chaplain of the California State Assembly in 1945. His prayers reflect the tenuous times of his day, the fears and the hopes of this State’s citizens. This was the prayer he gave on this date in 1945, just a few weeks after the war in Europe had ended, and months before the battle in the Pacific was finally over.

God of Destiny:

Days of Destiny are upon us - days fraught with possibilities, of profound danger or of infinite blessing.

May we see that we live in an age when a few days may witness more changes than a former century.

Let us see that our world is fluid and plastic, and that our hands can help mould it into a brighter state with ampler life for all, or mar it by selfish blundering efforts.

Let us see that by some act this day we might change the character of our free institutions, and that we have the grave responsibility of helping to determine the future form of our democracy.

Let us pray for wisdom and for courage to avoid any ill advised action that future history might deplore, or that might darken the unsullied escutcheon of this Assembly.

May we labor by the aid of all that is Divine within us, so that the next generation shall rise up and bless us and say, “You transmitted to us this glorious inheritance.” -- Amen.

Eternal lord god, we are grateful for the beauty and blessings of our beloved California, and for those who have come here from many lands bringing the rich heritage of their culture and knowledge to our vineyards, orchards, and thriving industries. We are the benefactors of their sweat and toil, of their vision and their labors. We pray Your help to all who inhabit our state today that we may strive to build upon that foundation and thereby bring about a society that promotes the common good of all.

We lift our prayer for the for all Californians who are struggling with the adversities of drought and those affected by the resent fire storms.

Grant Your special blessings upon those in this chamber whose decisions shape our lives today, and influence the course of our state’s future. Grant to each one here the gift of wisdom, discernment and vision, that through them and the work they do, the lives of all will be blessed, even into the coming generations.

Strengthen the desire of all our people to live and work together in harmony and good will that we may build a better society and a better life for all. In the name that is holy,--AMEN.
 

We give thanks for this place called the Senate today and thanks also for the Senators and staff who work so hard for a prosperous and harmonious California.
May there be wisdom in this place, but especially may it be a place where the men and women become aware of the divine wisdom in themselves.
May there be creativity in this place but especially may it be a place where the men and women allow the natural creativity that is within them to flow in answer to this State’s challenges.
May there be patience in this place but especially may it be a place where women and men find the patience within to listen to each other with respect and honor.
May everyone come into this Senate with expectation of success and go with thanksgiving.—AMEN.

Creator of the Universe,

The world you have given us is both beautiful and fearsome, filled with great wonders, and terrifying dangers.

Our thoughts and prayers turn this morning to our brothers and sisters in Southern California whose lives, and communities lay in the path of danger.

O God - We pray for the safety of those who put themselves in harm`s way to protect others. And we pray as well that our State to be blessed once again with an abundance of rain, with temperate weather, and that we may live in harmony with the natural world, and not in fear of it.

May this be God`s will. Amen.

Members and guests, as we endeavor to solve the budget and fiscal issues facing the State of California, I am reminded of a theological concept known as faith. Faith means different things to different people, but this
morning I am going to refer to the definition in the book of Hebrews reading from the New American Standard version:
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it men of old gained approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not
made out of things which are visible.”
In her book “Acts of Faith”, Iyanla Vanzant writes:
“The bumblebee’s wings are so thin and its body so big, it should not be able to fly. The only problem is, the bee doesn’t know that. Most of us do not know what we cannot do until someone tells us. We are willing to try almost anything, go anywhere, stretch ourselves to the limits in pursuit of our dreams. And then we talk to other people. We are reminded of how dangerous it may be, how ridiculous it sounds, what a chance we are taking.
People have no problem informing us of all the downsides and pitfalls; they cannot see how we will ever reach the goal. They put us in touch with our faults, limitations, and habits. They remind us of all the others who didn’t
make it, and in vivid detail they tell us why. They give us warnings, cautions and helpful hints about alternative things we can do. When they are finished, we have been effectively talked right out of our dreams.
Bumblebees do not talk and neither should we. If we have a dream we want to come true, the only way to it is through it. We must take a chance, a risk and a leap. If we believe in ourselves and our ability, we will be taught how
to fly.”
May this be God’s will.—AMEN.

Members and guests as we endeavor to solve the budget and fiscal issues facing the State of California, I am reminded of a theological concept known as faith. Faith means different things to different people but this morning I am going to refer to the definition in the book of Hebrews reading from the New American Standard version:
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it men of old gained approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.”
In her book “Acts of Faith” Iyanla Vanzant writes:
“The bumblebee’s wings are so thin and its body so big, it should not be able to fly. The only problem is, the bee doesn’t know that.
Most of us do not know what we cannot do until someone tells us. We are willing to try almost anything, go anywhere, stretch ourselves to the limits in pursuit of our dreams. And then we talk to other people. We are reminded of how dangerous it may be, how ridiculous it sounds, what a chance we are taking. People have no problem informing us of all the downsides and pitfalls; they cannot see how we will ever reach the goal. They put us in touch with our faults, limitations, and habits. They remind us of all the others who didn’t make it, and in vivid detail they tell us why. They give us warnings, cautions and helpful hints about alternative things we can do. When they are finished, we have been effectively talked right out of our dreams. Bumblebees do not talk and neither should we. If we have a dream we want to come true, the only way to it is through it. We must take a chance, a risk and a leap. If we believe in ourselves and our ability, we will be taught how to fly. “
May this be God’s will.
Amen.

Members and guests as we approach the national Independence Day on July 4th, and look forward to the November elections and the conclusion of the 2010-2012 California legislative session, we have choices to make. Some of the choices will be hard with lasting implications for the people of California.

One of the fundamentals of all religions is the power of freewill. Whether it is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob or Vishnu, Allah or Buddha, Confucius or Christ the son of God, they all have freewill in common. Incidentally, they also have in common some version of what we often refer to as the golden rule, “Do on to others as you would have them do onto you.” It can be found in the code of Hammurabi as well as the teachings of Confucius. For my Bible thumpers it can be found in Matthew 7:12 and Luke 6:31.

I am reminded of a story first told to me by a Catholic Bishop by an unknown author I would like to share with you today.

High in the Himalayan Mountains lived a wise old man. Periodically, he ventured down into the local village to entertain the villagers with his special knowledge and talents. One of his skills was to psychically tell the villagers the contents on their pockets, boxes or minds.

A few young boys from the village decided to play a joke on the wise old man and discredit his special abilities. One boy came up with the idea to capture a bird and hide it in his hands. He knew of course, the wise old man would know the object in his was a bird. The boy devised a plan.

Knowing the wise old man would correctly state the object in his hands was a bird, the boy would ask the old man if the bird was dead or alive. If the wise man said the bird was alive, the boy would crush the bird in his hands, so that when he opened his hands the bird would be dead; if the wise man said the bird was dead the boy would open his hands and let the bird fly free. So no matter what the old man said, the boy would prove the old man a fraud.

The following week, the wise old man came down from the mountain into the village. The boy quickly caught a bird and cupping it out of sight in his hands, walked up to the wise old man and asked, “Old man, old man, what is it that I have in my hands?’

The wise old man said, “You have a bird,” and he was right.

Then the boy asked, “Old man, old man, tell me is the bird alive or is it dead?”

The wise old man looked at the boy and said. “The bird is as you choose it.”

And so it is with our lives.

I would like to leave you this afternoon with The Prayer of Serenity, by Reinhold Niebuhr.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. Courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

May this be God’s will.

Amen.

O God,
Life rarely presents us with an easy path to walk. It is human nature to want to please others, and to say what we think people want to hear. It is often easier to try
to be what others want us to be, rather than to be true to our own selves.
But Ralph Waldo Emerson warns us with these words, he said "make the most of yourself, for that is all there is to you."
In the end, the challenge in life is to always strive to become the best person we can be, to live authentic lives where there is no disconnect between what we believe and what we do or what we say, and in the end to take measure of our lives by weighing what we did by what we knew we could do.
We pray to the Holy One, the Creator of all humanity to give us the strength to live our lives with integrity, to have the courage to find our own truth and to live by it.
May this be God`s will. Amen.

Almighty God, we thank you for the opportunities you give us to make a difference for good in our world. We ask that you would bless us with supernatural wisdom and clear direction for life.
Bless us with creativity, courage, ability and abundance. Bless us with self-control and self-discipline. We ask for blessings on our families, friends, and health. Bless us with faith, favor and fulfillment. Bless us with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection.

Bless us with a generous heart and a positive outlook on life. Bless us in the city and in the country, when we go in and when we come out. We ask that any negative word that has ever been spoken over us would have no effect.

We ask that everything we put our hands to will prosper and succeed--AMEN.
 

After Nelson Mandela had been released from prison, a newspaper reporter asked Desmond TuTu what he thought of this monumental event. He said, “Not now. I’ve got to dance!”

Let us pray:

Gracious and loving God, there are so many hurts and pains in our communities and cities - so much so that that is all that we hear about. While it is of utmost importance to meet the needs of these deep concerns, it is also important to remember that there is so much to celebrate. California is one of the largest economies in the world. California is a place of great innovations and creativity. California is the breadbasket of the nation. People from all around the world want to come and see California. We pray for our senators today, that in their deliberations they will find ways to honor, nurture, support and lift up the good works that are happening in this great state of California. This prayer we pray--AMEN

God of all humanity,

In life we are too often tempted to chase after transient visions of what we think will make us happy. But when we do this we are mistaking fun with true fulfillment. The great American minister, Henry Van Dyke taught that if one wants to be happy, then we should direct our vision not to what is around us, but to what is within us. He believed that “happiness is inward, and not outward; and so, it does not depend on what we have, but on what we are.”

We pray to the Holy One, the Creator of us all, to grant us the ability to find within ourselves the resources to find joy and meaning in our lives, and to find satisfaction and fulfillment based on a self-awareness of who we are, and not in what we have.

May this be God`s will--AMEN.
 

O God,
Help us to find inspiration and understanding from those who have come before us.
Let us be mindful of the words of the great American jurist, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. who once observed that “the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving. To reach the port of heaven,” he said, “we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it, but we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor.”
Inertia and apathy doesn’t get a person to heaven’s gates, action does. It is not enough to have beliefs, one must work to make our ideals a reality, to constantly move forward and never be satisfied with the status quo, to always believe more can be done.
May the Holy One guide us with direction and inspiration so that we might move forward with a noble sense of purpose in our work and in our lives.
May this be God’s will--AMEN.

Oh, God! We thank you for another day of life, another day to work for you, and to work for the people of this State of California.

Lord, we pray you will guide every woman and every man in these positions of enormous responsibility and authority and power. You promised, "Ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened."

Lord you also tell us to "pray for those in authority, that we may live quiet and peaceful lives in all spirituality and transparency."

Bless these men and women, protect their families, give them pleasure in governing, wisdom in decision-making, and success in all they do. Bless California, oh God, and these United States of America.

And we thank you in anticipation.

Amen!

O great and holy God,
Time and again you have blessed us with leaders to inspire us. One such leader who was no stranger to conflict or pressure, either on the battlefield or in the political arena was President John F. Kennedy. He observed that "great crises
produce great men, and great deeds of courage." Our country came into existence and then flourished because of ordinary men and women who in times of crisis found within themselves the ability to perform great deeds of courage.
We have been living through a time of extraordinary crisis and the people of our State look towards those who lead us to find the greatness within themselves to act
with courage and creativity, and to lead us forward into a more hopeful and prosperous future.
We pray to the Holy One to grant each of us the ability to draw upon our faith and strength of character to address the task of governance with strong hearts and open
minds.

Creator of all humanity,

Today throughout California many of our brothers and sisters will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo, a day that extols the virtues and necessity of freedom and democracy.

Benito Juarez, a beloved 19th century President of Mexico, and servant of its people once observed that “among individuals, as among nations, peace is the respect of others’ rights.”

On this day let us be mindful of this truth, that when we respect each and every individual and the rights given to them, both by God and by governments, we create a stronger, more just, and more peaceful society.

May we be ever inspired by those who have stood up to injustice, fought for freedom and have treated their fellow human beings with dignity and respect.

May this be God’s will, AMEN.
 

There is a saying that the U.S. Military Academy cadets have that should also apply to those engaged in public service. They say: “Risk more than others think is safe. Care more than others think is wise. Dream more than others think is practical. Expect more than others think is possible.”
If we follow this advice there are two things that are likely to happen, first we are likely to achieve greater success in our endeavors, and secondly, we will become personally invigorated from having dared to be passionate about what we do.
May the Holy One grant us the ability to be fearless in our dreams of what is possible, caring and compassionate in the actions that we take, and bold in our expectations of what can be accomplished. May this be God’s will--AMEN.

O God, You send us prophets and teachers, earthly messengers that remind us of your teachings.

In 1864, in a letter to a group that disagreed with his course of action, President Lincoln responded to them by writing: "I desire so to conduct the affairs of this administration that if at the end, when I come to lay down the reins of power, I have lost every other friend on earth, I shall at least have one friend left, and that friend shall be down inside of me."

What Lincoln referred to as a friend "down inside himself," the Prophet Elijah would have known as the "still small voice"-Others might call it our conscience, or moral compass.

But by whatever name we call it, ultimately each of us will have to be held accountable for our actions and our words, and have to face ourselves and our Maker, for all that we have done while on this earth.

May it be the will of our Creator that at the end of our life, our words and deeds will be found worthy of our highest aspirations; that we will be remembered for having acted with honor and integrity; and that we will be at peace with how we conducted our life, both at work and with our loved ones. May this be God`s will.-AMEN.

God of compassion and healing,

Today Jews around the world are observing Yom haShoah, Holocaust Memorial Day. On this day we not only mourn and remember those who were murdered, those who were forced to flee and those who fought, but we also remind ourselves of the importance of remaining vigilant against hatred and prejudice in our day and age as well.

The noted author and Holocaust survivor, Elie Wiesel responded to the Holocaust by vowing “never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation.” He said “We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”

On this day we remember that we all have an obligation to take sides between good and evil, right and wrong. We all have an obligation to speak out against suffering and humiliation. Because with remembrance comes the obligation to do more than to simply remember, we must also pursue righteous action.

We pray to the Holy One of Blessing, the Creator of all humanity, to open our hearts to all of our brothers and sisters. May we not be so blinded by our differences that we fail to remember that all humanity is created in the Divine Image. May this be God’s will.-AMEN.
 

As we quiet our minds, we become mindful that Divine Wisdom is part of the omnipresent gift of the One by many names: God, Allah, Eloheim, goddess, Infinite Love.
We welcome that wisdom as senators and staff of the great state of California labor to create a state that uplifts everyone. On behalf of folks who spend their days in the boardrooms of thriving corporations, those who spend their days in the homeless shelters across this state, those who spend their days picking our crops, and those who are employees of California, we welcome Divine Wisdom. On behalf of all children and adults in this state who look for compassionate and focused leaders we welcome divine wisdom.
Amen.

Creator of all humanity,
You have blessed us by creating us in Your image, each of us containing great potential and possibilities. Goethe spoke of each individual’s capacity for greatness when he wrote: “If you treat me as if I were what I ought to be and could be, I will become what I ought to be and could be.”
If we look into our own lives we can find that because of at least one or two people who had faith not so much in who we are, but in who we could become, we found the strength and ability within us to rise to greater heights.
Similarly, each of us has the capacity to help others reach their higher potential if we simply treat them in a way that reflects what they can and ought to be.
May we be so blessed to live in a world where we both see and nurture the potential for greatness that dwells in those around us, and may we have the resolve to help them fulfill those expectations. May this be God’s will.--AMEN.

O gracious and loving God,
Your sacred text teaches us of the importance of taking a Sabbath – a cessation from work. You tell us that we must do so, so that we might rest and be refreshed. Without a break in our work, we can not appreciate the blessing that comes from it.
As the Senate prepares to take a break in its labors, we turn to You and pray that it be Your will that all those who work here find their bodies and their souls rested and refreshed in the coming weeks, so that they might return with renewed vigor and energy to serve the people of California.
May this be God’s will. --Amen.
 

O great and wondrous God,
You continue to reveal Truths to us through philosophers, theologians and humorists. Through their words we can learn about ourselves and find a way to live a more moral life.
The great American philosopher, and student of human nature, Mark Twain, used humor to tell hard truths. He advised us to “always do right.” As he said “this will gratify some people and astonish the rest.”
May our hearts always be open to knowing what is right and good, and may we always have the strength and moral courage to act on that knowledge.
May this be God’s will.--AMEN.

O God of all humanity,

This week we will celebrate the anniversary of our Declaration of Independence - a day when our founding fathers and mothers declared to the world Your truths - that all people are created equal, and that you have endowed within us certain unalienable Rights, and among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

We give thanks for all those who serve our country, those who serve in our armed forces, in civil service, and in the voting booth.

We are the inheritors of a precious gift, this nation. May it be Your will O God that we never take for granted the rights and freedoms that have been hard won, on the battlefield, in the courts, and in our legislatures. We pray that we, like those who have gone before us, will also be guardians of freedom, passing on to future generations, the blessings that were given to all of us. May this be God’s will. AMEN.
 

O Author of life and death,

Today a reluctant hero who once touched the heavens will be laid to rest. The great American, Neil Armstrong was a modest man who reached great heights. He once said "mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of man`s desire to understand." Neil Armstrong never lost his sense of wonder, or his desire to understand the mysteries of the universe, and his actions inspired others to question, explore, and seek understanding.

As the stars light up the sky tonight, and the work of this session comes to a close, let us not forget to go outside and look towards the heavens and remember the man whose one small step was a giant leap for all of us.

May his memory forever be a blessing--AMEN.

O holy and gracious God,

We find inspiration all around us, in your sanctuaries, in the natural world, and from those who push themselves to achieve what has not been done before.

The great basketball coach and teacher of life, John Wooden, taught his students that “success is a peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.”

In a society that places so much value on tangible, measurable, and material results, Coach Wooden reminds us that real success is not something to be found on a scoreboard but in how one plays the game. Real success comes not from measuring ourselves against each other, but against ourselves.

May we work each day to strive to become the best that we are capable of becoming. May this be God’s will.--AMEN.
 

Author of Life and Death,
In the Book of Deuteronomy, as Your servant Moses concludes his instructions to the Israelites on how to establish a just society, he says: “I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse, therefore, choose life!” (Deut. 30:19)

We are taught that we, as individuals and as a society, hold life’s blessings and curses in our own hands. We know right from wrong, good from evil, compassion from indifference. Laws, whether religious or secular, are given to create a good and just world. To choose life means living according to a moral code in our personal and our public affairs, to choose life means to live a life filled with meaning and purpose.

May the Holy One guide us as we engage in our daily tasks, opening our hearts to the goodness in this world, helping us to see what is right and just, and guiding us to live lives filled with blessings for ourselves and for others. May this be God’s will. AMEN.

Holy and Gracious God, we give you thanks for this new day; new possibilities, new opportunities and new challenges. Give these your servants the strength to serve your people, the wisdom to do what is right, and the courage to act. Help each of us to do always what you require of us, as your prophet Micah declared long ago – to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God. AMEN.
 

Lord God, Heavenly Father, whose wisdom and grace blessed this nation and the State of California with the courage, ingenuity, creativity, and strength of Catholic Religious Women, look with tender affection upon the heroic testimony of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange. The power of your amazing grace is revealed in their boundless charity, joyful hope, and fervent faith. They have served as undaunted prophets and creative artisan of the Kingdom. As we marvel at this proud legacy may we savor the beauty revealed and press ourselves eagerly to the labor still to be done in the name of Lord Jesus who lives and reigns forever and ever.--AMEN.

O Creator of Life,
You sometimes put obstacles in front of us so that we will look more closely at the world we live in and find new ways to see the world.
That great philosopher on life, Helen Keller, was given obstacles in life, and instead of blocking her way they enabled her to see the world better and with such a clarity, that those of us with sight often envy her of hers. She once wrote “a sane society whose riches are happy children, men and women, beautiful with peace and creative activity, is not going to be ordained for us. We must make it ourselves. Our destiny is our responsibility, and without faith we cannot meet it competently.”
As she so clearly stated “our destiny is our responsibility.” And, the purpose of faith is to give us the courage and stamina needed to meet the often difficult challenge of transforming our ideals into reality.
May the Holy One of Blessing grant us the gift of seeing in our lifetime a world renewed, a world filled with happy children and adults, a world overflowing with the creative power of our spirits, a world at peace with itself. May this be God’s will.--AMEN.

Almighty God,

We thank you for the privilege of living in the most beautiful state in America. We thank you for the freedom we have to choose our path of faith. We thank you for the diversity of backgrounds, talents and creativity that make up our neighborhoods and cities. We thank you for the privilege to serve our communities and ask that you will guide us to make decisions that will bring the greatest good to all.

We ask for the wisdom to provide the highest quality education for our children and safety wherever they may go. Establish peace in our hearts, peace in our homes, and peace in the halls of justice.

We pray that those who have stumbled will granted grace to get up again and grow. We ask that our sorrows will be turned into joy and our broken dreams into a mosaic of hope.

Thank you for your love and may your hand of favor rest on us all.

Amen.
 

O Author of Life and Death,

The days on the calendar move too swiftly, seeming to never give us the time we need or desire to do all that we want to do in any given day.

The 19th century philosopher, Goethe, who lived in a slower paced world than the one we live in, advised that “every day we should hear at least one little song, read one good poem, see one exquisite picture, and if possible, speak a few sensible words.”

Every day we are given by God is a blessing not to be squandered, but to be cherished. When we stop to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us, and we contribute our own insight and understanding to the world, we are allowing ourselves the time to enjoy the life we have been given.

May it be Your will O God that we not squander the gift of time that you have given each of us, but that we may spend each day wisely. AMEN.
 

O God of all humanity,

You have created us not only in Your image, but you have also created us to live in a state of equality with one another, and with liberty and happiness.

Nelson Mandela has dedicated his life to the dream of a just society, where all men and women can exist in a state of equality. He taught us that “to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”

May it be Your will o God that we strive to create such a reality, where we establish laws that are just and laws that respect and enhance not only our rights, but also the freedom of others. May this be God’s will. --AMEN
 

Oh Holy and Gracious God, You have implanted within us wisdom and understanding, compassion and kindness. May it be Your will, Eternal God, that love and harmony, peace and friendship be our blessings. Help us to greet each day with confidence and hope, and give us the strength and ability to do our work, so that we may be Your partner in bringing healing and prosperity into our world.

May this be God`s will.-AMEN

The British novelist, Joseph Conrad, wrote: “For life to be large and full, it must contain the care of the past and of the future in every passing moment of the present. Our daily work must be done to the glory of the dead, and for the good of those who come after.”

To be engaged in public service, is to be engaged in work that is larger than oneself. When our work is to serve the community, we must be ever conscious of the fact that we are caretakers of the blessings we have inherited from the generations that come before us, just as we hold the well being of future generations in our hands.

We pray to the Holy One, the Creator of all humanity, to grant us the ability to act in a way that gives honor to our ancestors while creating a firm foundation for those that come after us. May this be God’s will--AMEN.

Distinguished Senators, Guests, members of the dais and the public that allows us all to serve; we greet you. We greet you as is our tradition
With the Name of G-d
Peace be unto you
As Salaam Alaikum
We begin our invocation today, in this great Chamber of the State of California Senate. As we begin, we are reminded of the words invoked in our tradition that says ‘whatever you do, do it excellently’. Facing the duties and responsibilities of those who lead it is easy to be satisfied with being good. But as Jim Collins said in his book Good to Great – “ Good is the enemy of Great”. It is in this spirit we call upon G-d in prayer, and ask for His aid, His guidance, and His protection to enable those that lead to challenge themselves to do not just good, but to do great things. In recognizing that there is a power beyond ourselves, we can truly see our role as servants striving for excellence in everything we do to serve. To achieve that goal of excellence, we need guidance and mercy to be excellent stewards of the earth:
We Come before You Merciful and Beneficent G-d
We ask for Your strength
We ask for Your guidance
Help us to be excellent stewards and leaders for the people of California
Let us be examples of mercy and wisdom
Let us reflect Your guidance in our deliberations
As we conduct the business of the State of California
Amen

Beloveds as we gather let us take a breath together knowing that as we do
it is the very breath of Life,
the breath of our Creator which moves through us.
And as this life force moves through each and every one,
may we open our hearts to compassion and love.
May we open our minds to greater wisdom and inspiration from the Divine;
so that the work completed in these Chambers may be done for the
highest and best good for all people throughout this state, and the world.
Ralph Waldo Emerson, 19th Century American philosopher said,
"Trust men and they will be true to you; treat them greatly and they will
show themselves great".
We pray to the Divine Spirit that lives within us,
bless the members of this Senate with insight and brilliance
as they go about the daily affairs of the State, and their lives;
that they may show themselves great
with loving kindness and mindfulness;
with honor and integrity.
Blessed be.

We turn to our Creator on this day for guidance and for blessing. The people of the State of California have entrusted to these men and women a sacred task, to both represent and to lead us.

The people ask of their leaders to act with insight and compassion, and to serve with honor and fairness in both word and deed.

As this esteemed body begins its important work, we ask the Holy One, the Creator of us all, to guide you and to bless you with open hearts and open minds.

May you be strengthened by a sense of common purpose. May you find wisdom and inspiration in each others words. May you lead with the courage of your convictions and always serve with integrity. May you always find ways to work together and to overcome your differences so that we may create peace and prosperity, justice and opportunity for all who live in our State.

May this be God’s will. AMEN
 

When Benjamin Franklin addressed the Constitutional onvention in 1887, he spoke timeless truths about the nature of government and the key to its success. He said:
“Much of the strength and efficiency of any government, in procuring and securing happiness to the people depends on opinion, on the general opinion of the goodness of the government as well as of the wisdom and integrity of its governors.”
Benjamin Franklin wisely reminds us that the strength and efficiency of a government rests both on the people’s opinion of that government, as well as on the wisdom and the integrity of its leaders.
We pray to the Holy One, the Creator of us all, asking that our leaders always be blessed with wisdom and integrity,and that the people that they serve may be blessed with happiness and well being. May our government and those whom they serve work together for the betterment of our State. May this be God’s will--AMEN

In the Bible we are taught that the Holy One, the Creator of us all, created the universe with words. Words have the power to create and to destroy, words can bring us together or tear us apart.
With words our Founding Fathers created our nation, and with the simple and beautiful words given to us by Minister Francis Bellamy, we recommit ourselves to the sacred ideals of our nation each time we recite the pledge of allegiance.
And for those who work in, and for, this venerable chamber, it is with words that we can create a better tomorrow.
Oh Gracious God, We turn our hearts to You, and ask for blessings on our country and all who live here. We pray that You may give us the courage to live up to our highest ideals, working for our common good. May the words we speak to one another help bring us closer together and enable us
to create a nation that is united in its pursuit of liberty and justice for all people. May this be God’s will.—AMEN.

Prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Rabbi Mona Alfi:
The Austrian physician and writer, Arthur Schnitzler wrote about the human condition. He said:
“The meaning of our life is the road, not the goal. For each answer is elusive, each fulfillment melts away between our fingers, and the goal is no longer a goal once it is attained.”
Each day is a new adventure, with opportunities waiting to be explored and new paths to venture down. Most of our greatest rewards can be found not at our final destinations but in our relationships and unexpected interactions along the way.
May the Holy One of Blessing help us to find meaning in our journey and as much joy in our travels as in our final destination. May this be God’s will.—AMEN.

It is with great sadness that we gather today to remember a beloved and respected member of this distinguished institution. We offer our condolences to Senator Oropeza`s husband, Tom Mullins, and to her mother Sharon Oropeza, her sister, Lynn, and her brother John. We hold each of you and your entire family in our hearts and in our prayers as well.
A great sage once proposed the question: "Who is honored?" He answered by saying "One who honors, loves, and cares for other human beings." (Pirkei Avot 4:1)
Today we honor Senator Jenny Oropeza because she lived her life in a way that honored not only herself, but others, her family, her community, her State and her country.
To live a life in service to others is a noble thing. I can think of no greater praise than to be able to say about someone at the end of their life, that reverberations of
that life can still be felt by those who were touched by that person`s good deeds. And that is certainly true of Senator Oropeza.
She used her voice to speak up for those who voices were often silenced. She used her influence to serve those who needed her the most. She used her passion to
make the world she lived in a better place for future generations. While Senator Oropeza`s life was too short, she is a reminder for us all that it is not the length of our days that matter, what is important is how we use the time we are given.
The Book of Job instructs us to deal with grief with these words: "The Lord has given, the Lord has taken, blessed be the name of God. (Job 1 :21)"
We give thanks to the Holy One for the gift of a dedicated servant, a loving wife, daughter, sister, friend and colleague. We give thanks for the path that she chose.
We give thanks for the example she set for us, to live a life of meaning, a life dedicated to the betterment of others. May we live by her example, finding nobility in serving the public, understanding the importance of mentoring the generation that comes after us, and recognizing how government can be used as an instrument of goodness and righteousness. May this be God`s will, amen.

Many of us feel God’s presence in nature when surrounded by the Holy One’s creations. For others, God’s presence can seem a mystery, hidden from their view. But here in the midst of winter, the trees laid bare of their foliage, if we take the time to look, we will witness the miracle of creation, and see that the world is beginning to wake again. The tiniest bit of green beginning to emerge, new life beginning to appear on a bare branch, reminding us that to everything there is a season, doubt and faith, death and birth, there is a place for everything and everyone under the heavens.

May it be the will of our Creator that our eyes be ever open to the wonders around us, and may our hearts rejoice in miracles that occur each day, reminding us that every day is a gift to be cherished, and cause for us to give thanks. May this be God’s will.—AMEN.

Members and guests, this morning we are looking forward to the annual celebration of life for the American Civil Rights leader, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King was born in Atlanta, GA on January 15, 1929. He championed a reform movement for a period of just over twelve years. He was assassinated on April 4th, 1968, in Memphis TN. He was married to Coretta Scott (King) and together they had four children. He was the second African American and youngest winner of a Nobel Prize in 1964; the first being UCLA alumnus Dr. Ralph Bunche in 1950. Dr. Bunch, by the way, attended Thomas Jefferson High School in South Central Los Angeles. Most of Dr. King’s many accomplishments can be found in history books and online.
There is not much that can be said about Dr. King that has not been said a thousand times. Last year we focused on what he considered the most important part of his life - he was a Baptist minister doing God’s will. His civil rights work was very much a part of his ministry. His heart would be heavy today as we mourn the lives lost and carnage in Arizona. As a disciple of the peaceful protest and the Christian faith he would be praying for all the victims, including the perpetrator.
Last year we studied the correlation between Dr. King and Moses, specifically Deuteronomy 34:1-5 and the saga of going to the mountain top. This morning I would briefly like to draw another parallel. Today in political discourse we overuse two words: reform and protest. Dr. King was named for the German monk Martin Luther, known as the father of the Protestant Church and the Christian Reformation which are derived from reform and protest. Martin Luther’s protest and reform were expressed in his “Ninety Five Theses,” which he posted on the Castle Church door in Wittenberg Germany on October 31, 1517 in protest. Martin Luther was the first person to translate the Bible into a language other than Latin (German). Remember, Dr. King was a Baptist (Protestant) minister.
Students of Dr. King’s work often draw a parallel between Martin Luther’s “Ninety Five Theses” and Dr. King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”, dated April 16, 1963. Dr. King was being jailed in Birmingham because he was “protesting” Jim Crow laws in the Alabama city. Specifically, they were seeking reform from the policies of the notorious segregationist Eugene “Bull” Conner, the Commissioner of Public Safety of Birmingham.
The “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” is regarded by many scholars as one of the finest pieces of advocacy/protest writing ever done. Ironically it was written to other Clergyman concerned with the need for protest and the speed of reform. Two of my favorite quotes by Dr. King come from this great letter: “Injustice anywhere is a threat justice everywhere.“, and “We should never forget that everything Adolf Hitler did in Germany was ‘legal’ and everything the Hungarian freedom fighters did in Hungary was ‘illegal.’ It was illegal to aid and comfort a Jew in Hitler’s Germany. Even so, I am sure that, had I lived in Germany at that time, I would have aided and comforted my Jewish brothers.” If you have not already done so, I would recommend everyone read “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.”
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would have been 82 years old this year. We wish him a happy birthday. Members, as we grapple with the budget and the future of our beloved California, I would like to go back to basics.
In the New Testament Book of Matthew when the disciples were asking how they should pray, Jesus responded:
Our father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name
Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done,
In earth as it is in heaven,
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory for ever.
Amen
 

Creator of all humanity, we stand in your presence in the shadow of the national tragedy that befell our nation this last week. As we mourn the passing of those who died, and hold those who were wounded in our hearts, our pain reminds us that we are all part of the same American family, united, as we pray for the healing of bodies and of spirits.
May we find comfort in the stories of heroism from ordinary men and women, inspiring us to act with courage and conviction, strengthening our resolve to serve our communities, our State, and our country.
May this be God’s will. Amen.

In light of the tragedy over the weekend in Arizona with Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and the six who lost their lives and the thirteen others who are recovering from their wounds, on behalf of the citizens and clergy of California, we would like to thank you for your public service. We know that your jobs are not easy. We appreciate your hard work and dedication to this great state of California. It is our prayer that this tragedy has not deterred your focus and enthusiasm to better the lives of all Californians, but rather, that you have found a deeper resolve to make California an even greater state.
Let us pray:
Eternal God, We pray for Congresswoman Giffords and for her recovery. We pray for those who have lost loved ones. We pray for those who are recovering from their wounds. This has been a national tragedy that has affected all of us. We pray now for our California Senate and we pray for their safety in public service. We pray for a sense of calm as issues are debated across the aisle, in this room and on street corners. Lord God, may our California Senators know how much their public service is appreciated and give them the strength and courage to continue to serve—AMEN.

We call out to you 0 Source of Life, on this beautiful morning, for inspiration and for guidance. As we begin this day, let us be ever mindful of the many blessings in our lives, and our daily opportunities to help others.
Grant us the ability to approach our work with open minds and open hearts so that we might come together in finding solutions to whatever problems might face us.
Let us not waste our gifts, our energy or our time, but rather we ask You to show us how we might use these blessings wisely and for the betterment of our State.
May this be God`s will--AMEN.
 

O God, As we stand here together at the beginning of a new year, we find ourselves at the crossroads between what has been, and what might be. We are called upon to look at all that needs to be accomplished, and to be honest about the difficult work that lies ahead.

Now is the time for each of us to envision the world as it can be and should be, and to look into our hearts to see how we can make that dream a reality.

May we always hear the still small voice that dwells within each of us, calling us to do more, go further, and create what can only now be imagined.

May the Source of all blessings make our footsteps firm and our actions noble. May our legacy be one of wisdom and compassion, prosperity and peace. May this be God`s will.-AMEN.

For some, prayer comes easily to the lips, others search for words,
finding it difficult to give voice to what is in their hearts.
However, the Rev. Costen Harrell gave this piece of advice about the
essence of prayer. He taught that “Prayer is opening the heart to God. It is not all petition. It has its listening side. Prayer,” he said, “is more than speaking to God; it is giving God an opportunity to speak to us.”
May it be God’s will that we turn towards God with hearts open to hearing and seeing the Divine message in the many ways that it is manifest in our world each and every day.—AMEN.

William Shakespeare, a man who understood the power of words, wrote:
“My words fly up, my thoughts remain below: Words without thoughts never to heaven go.”
Words in and of themselves have no inherent power. Whether in prayer or in conversation, if our words lack truth or ring hollow, they do not reach the heavens. Our words are only as meaningful as the thoughts they reflect. Both the spoken and the written word are two of the most powerful gifts that humankind possesses. The communicated word can be used to build up or tear down society, to spread enlightenment or to enforce darkness. May the Holy One of Blessing inspire us to raise our voices in the service of others and to express our hearts most noble endeavors. May this be God’s will.—AMEN.

Today marks the birth of President George Washington. Even though it has been more than 200 years since his passing, his life and leadership continue to inspire us and set the standard for public service. In his farewell address from the Presidency, President Washington warned us against excessive partisanship and he urged us to remember that “the Independence and Liberty you possess are the work of joint counsels, and joint efforts, of common dangers, sufferings, and successes.” He understood that the blessings that we enjoy as a nation come from our ability to come together for the common good.
O Guardian of life and liberty, may our nation always merit Your protection. Grant our leaders wisdom and insight. May their work bring us together in finding new paths to prosperity and peace.
May this be God’s will.—AMEN

This coming Monday our country will celebrate President’s Day and honor the men who have taken on the sacred and difficult task of leading our country.
Looking down at us in this chamber is a portrait of our first president, a man who set a high standard for leadership and character for us all. Both as General Washington and as President Washington, he dedicated
himself to the service of others, and while he endured many hardships while in the service of our country, he found meaning in serving a cause larger than himself.
He said that he believed that “happiness and moral duty are
inseparably connected.”President Washington understood that true happiness comes not from pursuing fame or fortune, but from living a life of meaning, pursuing the
greater good, and living according to one’s highest aspirations.
We give thanks to the Holy One for blessing this country with leaders throughout our history who have stepped forward in times of peace and war, prosperity and hardship, presidents whose noble endeavors haveinspired us to serve our country as well.
May the Holy One of Blessing grant that we be like them in their finest moments and may God grant that we too should find joy in our responsibilities, value from serving others, and happiness in living our lives with a sense of moral duty.
May this be God’s will.—AMEN.

Today is a day when many people’s thoughts turn towards love. It is a time to appreciate and nurture the romance in our lives. But love is about more than flowers or candy or cards. It is about paying attention to the details of what resides in another person’s heart and in our own. And it is ultimately about more than just this day. It is about how we treat those who matter to us, every day.
May the Holy One open our hearts to our friends and loved ones so that we might cherish and nurture the relationships that give meaning to our lives. May we take each and every day as an opportunity to express our love and our devotion to others. May this be God’s will.--AMEN.
 

The psalmist calls out to us and says: Give thanks to the Eternal One, for God is good; God’s love endures forever. (Psalm 106:1)
God’s goodness and love is made manifest in the world around us in the many miracles we take for granted each day, our health, our livelihoods, our families and friends.
But when we remember to stop and give thanks for the many blessings that God has given us, we also become open to recognizing the blessings we are capable of both giving and receiving from each other as well.
May our hearts always be open to God’s goodness and love, so that our actions become a reflection of the Holy One’s presence in this world.
May this be God’s will. Amen.
 

Members and guests, today we celebrate the first Monday of Black History Month. The idea of celebrating Black History was the brainchild of the famous African American historian, Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Dr. Woodson observed that in order to gain respect in American society your accomplishments had to be recognized in print or you were simply overlooked.

So in 1926 he chose the second week of February as Negro History Week. Contrary to the popular urban legend, February was not chosen because it was the shortest month. Fact is, Dr. Woodson decided on February because Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass were both born in that month and he felt they were the two most important figures in black history at that time. In 1976, “Negro History” Week was changed to “Black History” and expanded to the entire month that we know today.

Then, as now, there was much debate as to whether the idea celebrating Black History was a good one. Concerns and debate continue regarding whether or not the commercialization and racial focus associated with Black History Month actually has a negative impact on race relations. It was always Dr. Woodson’s dream that the idea would one day outlive its usefulness, and that Black History would be fully integrated into the American fabric.

Just as Dr. Woodson recognized Lincoln and Douglas as the two most significant individuals in Black History for his time -- a black man and a white man -- real progress today is achieved by people working to understand the other guy’s point of view and expanding their own perspectives.

In the New Testament, Book of Mark, there is an excellent example of the disciples having to expand their world view. For those of you who want to read it for yourselves, look at Mark 9:38. Reading from the New International Version:

“Teacher,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”

“Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me. For whoever is not against us is for us.”

Black History Month and the parable in Mark are examples of people from different backgrounds working together toward a common goal. The lesson here for us, as the leaders of California, is that we must work toward a common goal. Good ideas are not the sole province of one side of the aisle or the other. We must be ever so careful to not let the perfect become the enemy of the good.

I want to close with the words of James Weldon Johnson:

God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way;
Thou who hast by Thy might,
Led us into the light,
Keep us forever in the path we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee,
Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee;
Shadowed beneath Thy hand,
May we forever stand,
True to our God,
True to our native land.

Amen.

The great American poet, John Russell Lowell wrote on his theology of life:
God is in all that liberates and lifts,
In all that humbles, sweetens, and consoles.

The Divine Presence is manifest in the world around us in so many simple ways: a kind word from a friend, a smile from a stranger, a hand held out to support someone in need.

God’s presence surrounds us, waiting for us to discover it.

May the Holy One of Blessing enable us to be messengers of all that liberates and lifts, and to see al that humbles, sweetens and consoles.

May this be God’s will. Amen

Oh Holy and Merciful God, we turn to you with open hearts, asking for guidance and wisdom. Grant those who lead us insight and courage.
May all who serve you by serving others with compassion and kindness find their spirits renewed, their determination strengthened. May we never be afraid to toil into the night to work for the good of all people and blessings for all humanity. May this be God’s will--AMEN.

It is a difficult thing to balance the needs and concerns of so many individuals and communities in a state like California. Following his inauguration, President George Herbert Walker Bush explained his philosophy by saying that he would take as his guide “the hope of a saint: in crucial things, unity; in important things, diversity; in all things, generosity.”

We turn to our Creator to guide us and sustain us. May we never lose our sense of hope in a better tomorrow, nor let our faith in the importance of what we do dim. In difficult times may we come together, united, of a singular mind in finding solutions to what ails us. But in that unity may there always be room for a diversity of opinions and perspectives to be expressed and heard. And may we always treat each other with a generosity of spirit, giving each other the benefit of the doubt and treating each other with respect. May this be God’s will. Amen.
 

The Vernal Equinox brings with it the promises of spring—renewal,regeneration, rejuvenation and hope. Hope for a brighter day, for the cessation of hunger and starvation, for an end to senseless violence, for a more just and equitable world, for a world at peace.
Help us, ever patient Creator and giver of life, to be proactive agents in the realization of our hopes. Remind us daily that the purpose of the miracle of life is to share the many blessings You have provided us. Instill in us, as Your stewards, the courage, tenacity and selflessness of preceding generations so that We can bequeath a healthy and sustainable planet to
those who follow us. As articulated by the late David Brower, “We don’t inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.”
We offer a prayer to the millions of survivors of the earthquakes and tsunami in Japan—a prayer of hope, strength and peace.
Baruch atah adonoi, eloheynu melech ha’olam, she’hakol nihiyeh bi’de’varo.
Blessed are you, Creator of the Universe, according to whose word all things will be.—AMEN.

God of mercy, tenderness, and love, we pray to you as this Senate body comes together on this St. Patrick’s Day. Give them your assistance as we remember a Saint who was a slave, a dispossessed person, a missionary in a foreign land who recognized the dignity of those to whom he brought a message of faith in God.

Help us, O God, to be people of decency, humility, gentleness, caring, and love, always concerned for the value of each person and respectful especially of the lowly and those with little or no voice. Help us to care for all the community, not special interest groups, but to be like St. Patrick, open to all, forgiving of those who enslaved him, and always seeking new ways to enrich his people. This we pray to you, O God, this day and always. Amen.

Rev. Dexter McNamara
Grace to you and Peace.
I’d like to ask that we pause for a quiet moment to remember and pray for the people and the nation of Japan and the people and the nation of Libya.
Amen.
Reflecting on the compromise that the Constitutional Convention reached to balance representation between the Senate and the House, Benjamin Franklin wrote:
Compromisers do not make great heroes
But they do make great democracies.
Please pray with me.
Loving God of us all…
In these difficult and challenging times for our state and our nation and our world,
I pray that the good women and men of this chamber would look to you for wisdom and integrity and compassion.
And I pray that as they look at each other and listen to each other,
They would remember that they have not been elected by the people of this state
to be heroes
But to create a great democracy in California.
So I pray that they would now seek what is best for all the people of this state.

It is in your loving Spirit I pray.
Amen.

The great 20th century theologian and writer, C.S. Lewis observed that “courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.”

On a daily basis our beliefs, our morals, our ideals, are tested by the realities of life. Who we are is not merely a matter of the virtues we espouse. Rather, it is the ongoing courageous steps we must take to put these ideals into action, each and every day, that ultimately define who we are.

May the Holy One, the Creator of us all, grant us the wisdom to repair what ails our society, the fortitude to do what is not easy, and the courage to always act with

Every generation is presented with a crisis it cannot anticipate, challenges it must rise to and confront.

No stranger to difficulty, President Lincoln addressed congress in 1862 with this sage advice. He said “The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty and we might rise to the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew.”

We turn to the Holy One for guidance and wisdom, we pray that our hearts and minds be open to create new paths to prosperity. May we rise to the challenges that face us with renewed creativity and passion.

May this be God’s will. Ame

The great American intellectual and scientist, George Washington Carver, advised us that: “How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the
striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.”
George Washington Carver reminds us that life is not a straight or easy path, we all go through stages of weakness and strength, vulnerability and power. And how we treat others in difficult times will influence how we are
treated by others, and by ourselves, when we face our own challenges.
May the Holy One, the Creator of us all, open our hearts with compassion for our fellow travelers along life’s path. May we view each other with kindness, treat each other with sensitivity, and always rise to our highest ideals. May this be God’s will.—AMEN.

Many of us search for a sense of meaning in our lives, a purpose to direct our days. If we are lucky we find a passion that feeds our soul.
A wise man once said: “If there is no passion in your life, then have you really lived? Find your passion, whatever it may be. Become it, and let it become you and you will find great things happen FOR you, TO you and
BECAUSE of you. (T. Alan Armstrong)”
May the Holy One guide each of us in finding our passion in life, and bless us with the ability to pursue our dreams each and every day. And through this pursuit of meaning, may we live each day more fully, filled with gratitude and joy.
May this be God’s will.—AMEN.

Creator of all humanity,
You have blessed us by creating us in Your image, each of us containing great potential and possibilities. Goethe spoke of each individual’s capacity for greatness when he wrote: “If you treat me as if I were what I ought to be and could be, I will become what I ought to be and could be.”
If we look into our own lives we can find that because of at least one or two people who had faith not so much in who we are, but in who we could become, we found the strength and ability within us to rise to greater heights.
Similarly, each of us has the capacity to help others reach their higher potential if we simply treat them in a way that reflects what they can and ought to be.
May we be so blessed to live in a world where we both see and nurture the potential for greatness that dwells in those around us, and may we have the resolve to help them fulfill those expectations. May this be God’s will.--AMEN.

Holy God, we give thanks this day for all those who have answered the call to serve in this Legislature, both today and in years past. May all those who come to these halls serve with distinction and honor; may they follow the light of their conscience as you give them the light; and may each of us keep the people of our nation and state ahead of our own interests--AMEN.

On this day, we are thankful for the freshness of the morning air, for the rain and snow that we sorely need. And we thank you especially for our families, friends and colleagues. Today, we are most grateful for the life of Rueben Medina, a long-time member of our Senate family, who passed away this week. During this day, help us to be aware that in all that we do and in all that we are, you are there, Holy God. Help each of us to act in that awareness of you, making choices that honor your vision for the world you have entrusted to us.-AMEN.

I invite you to turn within at this moment and let us remember together that we are indeed living, moving and having our beingness, in the power and the presence in the love of god that is everywhere in its fullness, and, that each of as a spiritual image and divine likeness of this divine presence, has the capacity to reveal divine wisdom transforming knowledge creative intelligence unconditional love and perfect peace. I speak the word in naming this session filled to overflowing with such transforming knowledge and creative wisdom that the citizens of this great state continue to feel themselves progressing and evolving because of the work that is done here, as these individuals are available and open to that transcended knowledge that allows for the realm of good to be anchored on earth. The name of the highest that is within us all I give thanks that is already so, and unfolding with grace and with dignity, for this I am grateful, as I now just let it be, and so it is AMEN.

Holy and Magnificent God,

Living amidst the glory and the splendor of California it is sometimes too easy to take for granted nature’s wonders and fail to notice the miracles that surround us each day.

However, through religious festivals such as Easter and Passover, we are reminded to pay attention to the annual miracle of the earth’s reawakening every spring. And just as light and life return after a darkened winter, these holidays remind us that even into the darkest soul, light and redemption can take root as well. As Helen Keller once said, the world is full of suffering, it is also full of overcoming it. Many of us turn to these sacred rites of spring to renew our faith and our hope in our Creator and in each other, to find meaning from our suffering, redemption from our pain, and to look at life anew.

May our eyes always be open to the miracles that have been bestowed upon us, and may it be God’s will that we continue to be witnesses to the miracle of Creation in its many daily manifestations. Amen.

Holy and Gracious God, We give you thanks for this New Year and its new possibilities. Watch over this Capitol and all who pass through these halls. We ask your blessing especially upon the Governor of California and his administration; the members the California Senate and Assembly and their staff; and the judges of our state and all who serve in the courts. Bless our public servants with the vision to serve all of your people, and the wisdom to know how. Give to them the courage and strength, integrity and patience to meet the challenges ahead.-AMEN.

Almighty God,

We thank you for this day as the Armenian-American community joins our friends within the California State Legislature to collectively commemorate the 99th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, a crime which sadly has gone unpunished and yet to receive universal recognition.

Today as we remember the innocent lives taken almost a century ago, we remember also the victims of all genocides, and at this time particularly the killing of innocent civilians in Syria. Our gracious Lord, we pray for You to grant peace to the souls of the departed and for Your protection to be upon all those caught in the crossfire of conflicts around the world. We continue to pray for a world where its citizens coexist in peace, with mutual respect and tolerance for one another, a world where liberty and human rights is regarded above all.

Lord, we thank our friends in public office for designating this time each year to honor the memory of our 1.5 million martyrs, and for their continued solidarity with the Armenian-American community in pursuit of our noble cause. As we work side by side towards a common purpose, may we draw strength, foresight, and wisdom from You, to think, speak, and do that which is right. May You grace us with the faith and fortitude to overcome challenges and hardship and remain undeterred in our tireless fight, even more so during this critical time as we are quickly approaching the 100th anniversary. With Your divine inspiration, and with our united efforts and determination, we are encouraged in that righteousness will prevail.

We ask for Your blessings and guidance to be upon our legislators, guiding them in their endeavors as they faithfully perform the duties entrusted to them as guardians of public interest, and leading them to continuous successes in their civil service to our beloved state of California we proudly call home.

May You keep us in all Your love, peace, and mercy now and forevermore, and may the memory of our loved ones remain ever-blessed.

We humbly bow before You, Lord, in praise and gratitude for Your abundant gifts.--AMEN

Dear God,

We begin this day with gratitude for the gift of life. Thank you for this beautiful State we are privileged to live in. From the diversity of the land with beaches, mountains, forests, lakes, rivers, agriculture and farms, to the diversity of our brothers and sisters who have settled here from around the world, we are uniquely blessed.

We ask you for wisdom as these men and women who have been chosen to govern our State convene here today. Be with their families. Give them strength and the warmth of your presence.

Thank you for your grace and mercy that covers our failures of yesterday. We are grateful for your love and depend upon you for supernatural wisdom for the issues we will face. May your favor be given to us today and every day as we give our best for the people we serve.

We are grateful for the honor of working for the good of others. May we make a difference for good in what we do here today.

Amen.

A child asked Mother Teresa,

"When you pray, what do you say to God?"

The "Saint of the Gutters" replied, "I don`t say anything. I listen."

My dear Senators, when you are in times of deep discernment, may you listen to the still, small voice that calls us all to integrity.

Let us pray:

Eternal God, we pray for our California Senate today. As they listen to the voices of their constituents and to each other, may they hear your voice in the midst of their deliberations. This prayer we pray.-- AMEN.

Let us pray, dear Lord in chambers of political power like this we do a lot of talking. So we pray that we might be better listeners. First of all to those who are often left out and left behind like the homeless families I met last night in this city of Sacramento. We listen to you to remind us through your prophets the test of a nation’s righteousness is not its gross national product, its military fire power or its cultural dominance, but how it treats the poor and vulnerable. In the words of Jesus who says to us “as you’ve done the least to these you’ve done to me.” Lord help us listen to each other. In this Chamber and the Chamber I often see in my hometown of Washington DC we often aren’t listening well to each other and finding solutions to the real problems that our people are having. So we pray that we follow the advice of the prophet Micah, “to do justice and love kindness and walk humbly with our God.” AMEN
 

God of hope and inspiration,

Dorothy Height, a 20th century civil rights activist and advocate for women and children, spent her life as a crusader for equality, and fighting uphill battles.

She observed that “greatness is not measured by what a man or woman accomplishes, but by the opposition he or she has overcome to reach his goals."

Each day, every one of us faces obstacles either in our personal or professional lives that are unseen by others. And every day, we are challenged to navigate and overcome then.

May the Holy One give us the ability each and every day to reach towards our most worthy goals, undeterred by the obstacles in our path. May we have the patience to persevere when we are tired, the courage to keep moving forward even when we are afraid, and compassion for others who are climbing mountains of their

God of hope and inspiration,

Dorothy Height, a 20th century civil rights activist and advocate for women and children, spent her life as a crusader for equality, and fighting uphill battles.

She observed that “greatness is not measured by what a man or woman accomplishes, but by the opposition he or she has overcome to reach his goals."

Each day, every one of us faces obstacles either in our personal or professional lives that are unseen by others. And every day, we are challenged to navigate and overcome then.

May the Holy One give us the ability each and every day to reach towards our most worthy goals, undeterred by the obstacles in our path. May we have the patience to persevere when we are tired, the courage to keep moving forward even when we are afraid, and compassion for others who are climbing mountains of their own. May this be God’s will.--AMEN.

Creator of the Universe, we give thanks for the gift of life on this planet. We give thanks for the work that is ours to care for this our only home. Lift us past the smallness of our worries, inspire us to see beyond our horizons, and guide us to be better than we are--AMEN

O God who lights our path and guides our steps,

This Saturday will mark the official season opening of the great American pastime, baseball. The legendary philosopher and catcher, Yogi Berra gave us this sage advice when he said: “If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll end up someplace else.”

His humorous irony speaks to the vital importance of having goals and seeing not just what is in front of us,
but also to look up and out, towards the far horizon. It is easy to become so immersed in the daily tasks of
getting done just what needs to be done, that we can lose sight of where it is that we are heading.

May it be Your will O God, to give us clarity of vision, and a good sense of direction. May we never lose sight of our ideals, or our faith in a bright future.
And let us say, Amen.

Once upon a time, a young man was captured by pirates and taken off to a foreign land where he spent six years as a slave looking after sheep. At the end of that time, he escaped and returned to his own people. Later, in a dream he saw the people of the land of his captivity calling him to come and walk once more among them. He returned to that people and spent his life telling them about the love and mercy of God who was his strength during those years when he tended sheep on the mountainside.
This person is St. Patrick and the following is one of his prayers:
May the Strength of God guide us.
May the Power of God preserve us.
May the Wisdom of God instruct us.
May the Hand of God protect us.
May the Way of God direct us.
May the Shield of God defend us.
May the Angels of God guard us—
Against the snares of the evil one.
Today St. Patrick sends down a very special blessing on all the Irish followers—his 4
million people in Ireland—and his 42 million Americans who claim Irish ancestry. And lest you feel excluded from St. Patrick’s special blessing—be assured you are not. To everyone gathered here today in this august chamber he says:
As you slide down the bannister of life, for you may the wood splinters be always pointing away from you.—AMEN.