Our God and God of all people.
We know you
by many names:
God of mercy
God of
Justice
But this
morning – let us call you God of Love…..
Today is
February 10th. In case any of us here this morning forgot, in just 4
days – this Monday - it will be Valentine’s
day. We still have time to buy a card for that special someone in our lives…..but
the clock is ticking.
Some here
today – the more cynical among us - might think that a day set aside to focus
on love is a ploy to sell chocolate and flowers. And they may be right. After
all, shouldn’t we show our love every
day? Shouldn’t we be grateful for the laughter and the tears, the kisses and
caresses, the support and the joy, the passion and the playfulness we share
that makes each day seem brighter than the one before? The love that we give
and receive makes us better human beings…….
But we
aren’t always aware, are we? We are forgetful. We are creatures of habit. We
take the people around us for granted and we expect them to love us
nonetheless. And the crazy thing about it is that they do. Most of the time….
Dear God,
Our diverse
traditions teach us that Your essence is love. You love us –otherwise why would
you tolerate us?
If You did
not love us, how would you be able to stand idly by while we diminish Your
image by despoiling your beautiful world with pollution and greed?
If You did
not love us, how could You let us live when we ignore the suffering of the
innocents in our streets or the violence that is daily fare for women and
children; for those targeted for hate because of the color of their skin, their
birthplace, who they love or how they love?
If you did
not love us, you would not permit the toxicity of discourse that poisons our politics
with jockeying for power and forsaking opportunities for compromise.
If You did
not love us, you would not have given us a conscience that wakes us from our
slumber and forces us to realize our weakness, our frailty, our greed and our
hubris.
Help us to
love You - O God of Love. Help us to love one
another – so much so that we might rise above the pettiness and partisanship
that all too often places stumbling blocks in the path of governance.
Help us to
live so that we see that our very ability to love is a gift.
Bless these
legislators O God. Help them to love one another. Help them to love their
compassion and their quarrels. Help then to love the differences and the
moments of clarity that occur when they do Your sacred work and help to perfect
our world.
At this
season of Valentines day – may we all find ways to rejoice in the love that
makes our lives complete.
It takes
time to love – it takes patience. Sometime it even takes chocolate and flowers.
But
sometimes, our love makes Your love a reality.
May it be so
today.
AMEN
Rabbi Black, this is just perfect! Thank you for sharing your gifts and powerful reminders to love fully and to rely on G-d to more fully to make a difference in our world born out of love. The first time I met you was after hearing you pray at the CO House and shortly after at Temple Emanuel. I am so glad you are still guiding our legislators in prayer. PAGL Blessings, Pam
ReplyDeleteThank you Pam!
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