Union Theological Seminary 190th Convocation

I was blessed to be able to offer a prayer at the 190th Convocation of Union Theological Seminary.

Text of the prayer:

Bismallah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim
As-Salaam alaykum wa rehmatullahi wa barakatahu

In the name of the One beyond naming, the Compassionate, the Generative Womb of Mercy
May God’s peace, mercy, and blessings be with you today

The Qur’an tells us that humanity was offered a trust that no other creation accepted. We are never told what that trust was, but God calls us foolish for accepting it, so it must be the ability to tell right from wrong. And too often, we choose to be ignorant than to live into that trust.

By coming to Union, by seeking out knowledge, by forming community, by believing in justice, you have shown you will not settle for ignorance. You are living up to that trust, and it is for your success in fulfilling that trust that I pray.

The work of justice is not quiet, is it?

Let us pray:

May we be grateful for every breath we are given.

May we see the signs of nature as the Truth beyond reality.

May we make a shield from wisdom, to protect us from falsity, corruption, and ego.

May we shape a sword from knowledge, to cleave truth from deceit.

May we be so righteous, not self-righteous, that the sea parts for us, as we free the oppressed.

May we be so thoughtful that the Bodhi tree always shades us.

May we always be so playful that people will always check the butter.

May we be so loving that no one can be damned in our presence.

May we be so bound to our shared humanity that we give service to all.

May we be so honest that we are called Trustworthy.

May we character be so aligned with justice that we are favored by all.

May we always be humble enough to admit we are wrong.

May e always have the humility to know that we need to be carried.

May we have the joy and responsibility of community.

May we have the freedom to fly a kite whenever we want.

May we walk so that people tremble: Our friends in joy and our oppressors in fear.

May we have the moral imagination to dream and make a just world at peace.

Struggle with what is right. Create justice. Fulfill the trust.

Salaam.