The commemoration was about bringing light out of darkness. It was about healing and comforting those in need and it was about taking pride in the building blocks of this country--democracy, freedom and justice. Today was about community and people of all faiths, beliefs & traditions coming together to honor and recognize our indefatigable spirit. Today was a blessed reminder to give thanks, to live each moment fully, and to return to pursing the timeless values of justice and freedom.
If you are interested... here's the invocation I offered. Before I began, I sounded the Shofar.
The blast of the shofar. The shofar: an ancient instrument which calls us to gather together. It calls us to remember our victories and our defeats. Its call awakens us to the strength of our spirit and the power of community.
Its blast calls us to be strong. To stand tall and proud and with courage, move forward. Yet its loud reverberation reminds us that we are weak and we are human--subject to both joy and exaltation and moments of terror and tragedy.
We are together today to remember what we once could not possibly fathom. Again, history has shown us that the unthinkable is possible.
We gather today 10 years after the towers fell and the human spirit brought light out of darkness. We still grieve for the tragic loss of life, for the loss of our innocence, for the loss of the world as we once knew it.
We are also here to remember the strength and perseverance of the human spirit. We were witnesses to the unwavering effort, determination and innate goodness of our citizenry--the civil servants, chaplains and volunteers who heard the cries and answered the call.
Eternal Power of the Universe, Source of our courage, Strengthen our resolve to continue to work for peace and justice. May our compassionate hearts move us to embrace the widow, the orphan, the impoverished, the needy. As one community we lift up the fallen and support those who are victims of circumstance, terror and hatred.
May people of all faiths, traditions and beliefs find strength in one another. May we all work to preserve freedom and security, filling our world with Shalom--wholeness and Peace. Amen
Your invocation was beautiful when I heard it, and again now as I read it. Sounding the shofar at the beginning was perfect and beautiful. I thought the entire event was very inspiring.
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