Rahbi Tarphon hayah omare: Lo alecha ham’lacha ligmor, v’lo atah ben chorin l’hibatel memehnah.
Rabbi Tarfon used to say: It is not for you to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it. (Pirkei Avot 2:21)
Source of all Blessing,
As we gather this morning may we be inspired to envision a world where justice, reason, and freedom prevail…a world where hatred and jealousy are uprooted. May we recognize the beauty of living in a diverse community where individuals from many walks of life can approach one another as neighbors.
As we gather to honor the memory of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. may we appreciate that throughout the generations, many have lived and died to insure that we embrace the value of equality. Their lives were lived in ways designed to show us how to treasure and respect one another. They acknowledged that their principles matched your ideals for humankind and that we could never be lazy in our pursuit of breaking the yokes of prejudice and discrimination.
As we respond to one another, may we always be aware that each of us is unique, that each of us carries within ourselves the value of an entire world. Help us realize that if we choose to harm another human being with our words or actions, then it is as if we are choosing to destroy the entire world.
Give us the strength to be among those who have eliminated intolerance in their own lives and among those who have promoted justice and harmony among all people. Let us reach beyond ourselves to insure that this will be a world of promise for all.
And let us say Amen.
Nice, sorry I can't make it, hope it goes well.
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