Obama: 'There's something about the resurrection'
President Barack Obama hosted faith leaders and others Tuesday morning at the second annual White House Easter prayer breakfast. His remarks, as released by the White House:
"Well, it is absolutely wonderful to be here with all of you today. I see so many good friends all around the room.
"Before I begin, I want to acknowledge one particular member of my administration who I’m extraordinarily proud of and does not get much credit, and that is USAID Administrator, Dr. Raj Shah, who is doing great work with faith leaders. (Applause.) Where’s Raj? Where is he? There he is right there. Raj is doing great work with faith leaders on our Feed the Future global hunger program, as well as on a host of other issues. We could not be prouder of the work that he’s doing. I also want to acknowledge Congressman Mike McIntyre and his wife, Dee. (Applause.) Mike -- as some of you know, obviously, North Carolina was ravaged by storms this past weekend, and our thoughts and prayers are with all the families who have been affected down there. I know that Mike will be helping those communities rebuild after the devastation.
"To all the faith leaders and the distinguished guests that are here today, welcome to our second annual -- I’m going to make it annual, why not? (Laughter and applause.) Our second Easter Prayer Breakfast. The Easter Egg Roll, that’s well established. (Laughter.) The Prayer Breakfast we started last year, in part because it gave me a good excuse to bring together people who have been such extraordinary influences in my life and such great friends. And it gives me a chance to meet and make some new friends here in the White House.
"I wanted to host this breakfast for a simple reason -– because as busy as we are, as many tasks as pile up, during this season, we are reminded that there’s something about the resurrection -- something about the resurrection of our savior, Jesus Christ, that puts everything else in perspective.
"We all live in the hustle and bustle of our work. And everybody in this room has weighty responsibilities, from leading churches and denominations, to helping to administer important government programs, to shaping our culture in various ways. And I admit that my plate has been full as well. (Laughter.) The inbox keeps on accumulating. (Laughter.)
"But then comes Holy Week. The triumph of Palm Sunday. The humility of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. His slow march up that hill, and the pain and the scorn and the shame of the cross.
"And we’re reminded that in that moment, he took on the sins of the world -- past, present and future -- and he extended to us that unfathomable gift of grace and salvation through his death and resurrection.
"In the words of the book Isaiah: 'But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.'
"This magnificent grace, this expansive grace, this 'Amazing Grace' calls me to reflect. And it calls me to pray. It calls me to ask God for forgiveness for the times that I’ve not shown grace to others, those times that I’ve fallen short. It calls me to praise God for the gift of our son -- his Son and our Savior.
"And that’s why we have this breakfast. Because in the middle of critical national debates, in the middle of our busy lives, we must always make sure that we are keeping things in perspective. Children help do that. (Laughter.) A strong spouse helps do that. But nothing beats scripture and the reminder of the eternal.
"So I’m honored that all of you have come here this Holy Week to join me in a spirit of prayer, and I pray that our time here this morning will strengthen us, both individually as believers and as Americans. And with that, let me introduce my good friend, Bishop Vashti McKenzie, for our opening prayer." (Applause.)
Comments
Obama's comments sure should silence the Republican detractors that try and question his faith. Simply beautiful thoughts.
Posted by: Dave Rosen | April 20, 2011 11:27 PM
Don't be so sure, Dave. Takes a lot to convince those who will neither hear nor see.
I, for one, am made just a little uneasy by any President espousing sectarian belief from within the White House. While, like any citizen, the President has an absolute right to his beliefs. When he expresses those beliefs from the bully pulpit of the Presidency ... I get nervous.
Posted by: BankStreet | April 21, 2011 10:50 AM
Interesting enough he is saying that one group is out doing another , hmmm well let's it was the religious person who started two wars , it was the religious person who throw people in prison , it was the religious person deined people bacis human rights but let's give thanks too it all and have pray meeting for a select group of believer who had to profuse their belief in invisible being that lives in the sky in order to be there but he is everyone president just like the others presidents (Change ?) hmmm interesting.
Posted by: Anonymous | April 25, 2011 8:07 PM
BankStreet it's kind of difficult for the President to discuss his beliefs outside of the presidency. I would be more concerned with people who want to legislate their beliefs on everyone. That's why there will be those who question the Presidents beliefs. They feel if he isn;t willing to force them on others somehow that makes him less of a Christian.
Posted by: Anonymous | April 27, 2011 1:07 PM
Anonymous,
You're right. I wasn't really asking for him to be mute on his faith; in fact, I appreciate the fact that he has a spiritual dimension. I guess I was just hoping that a President would speak of sectarian issues in a sectarian setting ... and not in The People's House. It was much more the setting than the speech that concerned me.
Posted by: BankStreet | April 27, 2011 4:12 PM
Bankstreet I understand and respect your concerns.
Posted by: Anonymous | April 29, 2011 3:54 PM