Inauguration

This morning I had the honor of speaking at the Interfaith Inauguration for the Mayor and City Officials of Los Angeles. The event took place downtown at the First African Methodist Church, and included an exquisite mosaic of humanity. There were dancers whirling in sunlit yellows and drummers projecting the beat of our hearts into the great space. There was a Gospel choir, a Latino choir, a Korean choir, and a minyan of monks in saffron robes offering Tibetin chants with tiny gongs and simple bells. There were blessings offered from leaders in different faiths including Sheik, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. I know how much blood has been shed in the name of religion. I know how different demographics hate and berate each other, vying for position. But this morning, no one could doubt how beautiful they all were together. When done right, when hearts and minds are opened, ah it is so breathtakingly magnificent. We were floating on a cloud of a million butterfly wings. The joy was tremendous. And then we empty into the street, climb into our vehicles, try try try to remember and hope hope hope no one forgets. But then a few miles and you remember, the budget crisis, the health care crisis, the fear, the pain, the waiting, the anger, and you know how hard it will be to hold on to even this, a joy that went so deep.

Here was the blessings I had written and delivered:

Remember:
A Prayer for the Mayor, City Attorney, City Controller, and the LA City Council
 - Rabbi Zoë Klein

A few things to remember as you lead...

Remember the sun even when it's not shining,
Remember beauty even when you are blind.
Remember your dreams even when you're not sleeping.
Remember to smile when most are unkind.

Remember yes when you hear only no.
Remember to wonder even when there's no doubt.
Remember your purpose when the day seems unending.
Remember with even when you're without.

Remember music even when you can't hear.
Remember the individual even when there are crowds
Remember peace even with war around you.
Remember the heavens even when there are clouds.

Remember the vision even when there's no budget,
Remember closeness when everything's far,
Remember poetry even when there's no paper,
Remember wishing even when there's no star.

Remember embracing even when there's unrest.
Remember the questions even when they're unspoken
Remember the student even when there's no classroom
Remember their future even when all seems broken.

Remember us here, who celebrate you truly,
Remember us here, when you encounter foes.
Remember us lifting and praising and singing,
Remember a truth that no one else knows.

Remember God even when He is silent,
May your faith not easily in struggling break.
Remember your leadership is sparked from desire
To better our city for everyone's sake.

Remember the spring even when winter comes.
Remember the environment just outside your door.
Remember beginnings even when it seems over.
When adrift on the ocean, remember the shore.

Remember that you are just a man, just a woman,
Like all people, you tire and bristle and hunger and ache,
Remember to take good care of yourself,
Get some sleep, and eat your vegetables, for heaven's sake.

Remember your heart. Remember your soul.
Remember your presence, your passion, your past.
Remember your hopes. Remember your goal.
Remember your patience when you want to move fast.

Remember to be gentle even if you are pushed.
Remember we are with you, all holding your hands.
Remember you're the voice of all who are muted,
Remember when you're told "it cannot," that it can.

Remember Yevarechecha Adonai V'Yishmarecha,
May God bless you and keep you and bring you grace.
Yaer Adonai Panav Aleicha,
May you be bathed in the radiance of God's shining face.
Yisa Adonai Panav Aleicha V'Yasem L'cha shalom.
Remember you are not alone.
We are linked, heart to heart, every nationality and race...
We are linked, heart to heart, hand to hand, home to home,
Remember the sun even when it's not shining,
And may we all wake, one day,
To a world of shalom.