A Letter to Bishop Mariann Budde of the Archdiocese of Washington, DC

The Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde
Bishop of Washington
Episcopal Church House
Mount St. Alban
Washington, D.C. 20016-5094

January 23, 2025

Dear Bishop Budde,

After hearing your words about the importance of mercy addressed to President Trump at the service at the National Cathedral this past Tuesday, I was deeply moved. While I am not a Christian, I am a rabbi who understands the vital role of clergy to uphold and preach the values, tenets, and traditions of our faith communities. When words of moral courage are deliberately misrepresented as partisan propaganda in order to silence, shame or threaten those who speak them, our society moves ever closer to authoritarianism.

The anger, personal attacks, and threats that you have received in the aftermath of your courageous sermon are reprehensible. When the pulpit becomes a target, we are all in danger. Please know that I, and countless of my colleagues, congregants, and people of faith from every religious tradition applaud your courage, character, and compassion.

With grateful appreciation and admiration, I am….

Sincerely,

Rabbi Joseph R. Black.
Sr. Rabbi - Temple Emanuel
51 Grape St.
Denver, CO 80220

Opening Prayer for the Colorado House of Representatives January 23, 2025

 

Opening Prayer for the State House of Colorado

January 27, 2022

Rabbi Joseph R. Black – Temple Emanuel – Denver

 

Our God and God of all people:

We come to you this morning from many different faith traditions.  As we celebrate the diversity, splendor and potential of our state, we acknowledge the fact that you reveal many truths – it is our task to hear and heed them.

 

Merciful Creator, guide these Legislators as they go about their sacred work. May any conflicts that arise in the course of deliberation be seen as a reflection of the diversity with which we have been blessed.

 

Holy One of Blessing – help our leaders to see the good in one other – and let that goodness triumph over partisanship.

 

In this time of transition and change  - here in Colorado and in our nation’s capital  - we see a rising tide of cynicism and divisiveness. Let us pray that Your hand might guide these elected officials to reject this and see those who, all too often are unseen – the men, women and children living lives of desperation - for whom these deliberations may very well determine the difference between hope and despair.

May this day bring out the best in these leaders who have been elected to labor on behalf of their constituents.

Our God - we have seen You in the faces of faceless – eager to love and be loved

We have heard you in moments of wonder – when men, women and children come together in mutual longing and the promise of a better tomorrow.

On this day of deliberation, let us pray that our leaders and officials might find You within themselves. 

• May they find You in their ability to hear one other – to respect one other – to do the sacred work of governing our State of Colorado.
• May they find You in satisfaction that comes from hard work and due deliberation.
• May they come to know You as they come to know each other – and respect the skills that each brings to the floor of debate.
• May their discussions give way to a higher sense of purpose and understanding – and along the way, may it elucidate and elevate the decisions that are to be made

We thank you for these elected officials, clerks, advisors, officers and administrators - all who serve our community.  Guide their deliberations with purpose and an awareness of the sacred. May they rise above the cacophony of chaos and, in doing so, celebrate and improve the lives of all who live in and love the great state of Colorado.

And let us say,

AMEN