As prepared for delivery

Good morning.

To President and Mrs. Obama, Co-Chairs Congressman Vargas and Congressman Aderholt, and to all distinguished guests with us this morning, on this day of hope and of harmony, let us pray:

Dear Lord, we gather here as one, connected by the strength of our faith, by our pride in this great nation, and by our common bond as children of God.

Let us remember that each of us is beloved equally in the eyes of our Lord, and let us serve as instruments that spread your Mercy to our brothers and sisters.

Jesus told the Disciples in the Book of Matthew that what we do unto the least among us, we do unto Him. 

So just as the Grace of God provides nourishment to our souls and sanctuary for our spirits, we must provide food to the hungry, care for the ailing, and shelter to the poor. 

The Bible instructs us to find unity in our faith, and compassion for all men and women through the example of Christ.

And I pray that we will find inspiration from the Second Chapter of Philippians, which reads:   

"So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men."

Amen. Thank you, and God bless.

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