When the Massachusetts General Court (House) opened its 190th
biennial session on Beacon Hill on January 4 and the members of the House were
sworn in, I had the privilege to give a blessing to the chamber.
As the session came to a close I shared a teaching from
Pirke Avot, a 2000-year old Jewish text on ethical living. The passage that I
chose is a classic Jewish upending of our usual assumptions, and speaks to the
noble responsibility of those who hold elected office. Here is the teaching,
and my blessing.
The ancient Rabbis ask four questions:
Who is wise? Who is powerful? Who is rich? Who is honored?
And they answer the questions in surprising ways.
Who is wise? One who learns from everyone.
Who is powerful? One who shows restraint over one’s
impulses.
Who is rich? One who is content with one’s portion.
Who is honored? One who honors others.
We call on the Holy One, the Source of All, to bless these
officers of the Commonwealth, their families, the staff, and all those who work
in this building. Bless them all with your gifts of wisdom, power, wealth, and
honor.
May these public servants gain wisdom by listening to
others, to the thoughtful voices of experts and to the quiet voices of the poor
and the needy, to advocates and plain citizens alike. May they gain wisdom from
those with whom they disagree as well as those who share their views.
May these public servants use their power, first and
foremost, to control their own worst impulses. May they be mindful to restrain
the impulse to use power coercively and corruptly, and always to give their
very best to the people of Massachusetts.
May these public servants enjoy the wealth that comes from
knowing how blessed they are to serve. May they be satisfied with what they
have and dissatisfied with what the people lack.
May these public servants be honored for their integrity,
compassion, and commitment to justice and bring honor to their office, to this
House, and to our Commonwealth.
Amen.
