We are about to embark on our nineteenth year as a learning community at the Madeleine Choir School. It is such an honor for me to gather this morning with all of you: talented students, their tremendous teachers and support staff, and our dedicated parents.
Almost 3,000 years ago in a little backwater town outside of Jerusalem, a frumpy and geeky prophet by the name of Micah was being asked by the people to make sense of a terrible tragedy: the Assyrian army had swept down into the Northern Israelite Kingdom and destroyed it. All of their homes, farms, and businesses were utterly destroyed, and all of their possessions taken away. It would be a little like if the people of Denver decided to sweep in and take possession of Salt Lake City, taking all of our smartphones, iPads, and Xboxes. Now that would be a disaster! What could the Prophet Micah possibly say to the people who had suffered so greatly at the hands of the Assyrians? He told them to get back to basics with three things: Do Justice, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly with God.
Boys and Girls, this morning we are not recovering from an invasion of the Assyrians, but we are beginning our efforts to build a civilization of greater justice, mercy and love. This morning our learning community commits itself again to become engaged scholars who bring the best of our intelligence and critical thinking skills to our world's challenges, and to become effective communicators of the good news that invites us to a greater sense of solidarity, concern for the common good and true justice for others. We are dedicated liturgical musicians who in our celebrations inspire others to consider the seemingly counter-intuitive logic for life taught by Jesus of Nazareth, and in all of this we are committed to becoming responsible world citizens who will be agents of positive change for our communities.
Boys and Girls, we are the Madeleine Choir School, and this morning as we begin this new year, let's remember the great advice of the Prophet Micah: Do justice, Love Mercy and Walk Humbly with God.
Let us begin with prayer.
Loving and merciful God,
Your Spirit of wisdom fills the earth
And teaches us your ways.
Look upon our students.
Let them enjoy their learning
And take delight in new discoveries.
Help them to persevere in their studies
And give them the desire to learn all things well.
Look upon their teachers.
Let them strive to share their knowledge
With gentle patience;
And endeavor always to bring the truth to eager minds.
Grant that students and teachers alike may follow Jesus Christ,
the way, the truth and life
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Almost 3,000 years ago in a little backwater town outside of Jerusalem, a frumpy and geeky prophet by the name of Micah was being asked by the people to make sense of a terrible tragedy: the Assyrian army had swept down into the Northern Israelite Kingdom and destroyed it. All of their homes, farms, and businesses were utterly destroyed, and all of their possessions taken away. It would be a little like if the people of Denver decided to sweep in and take possession of Salt Lake City, taking all of our smartphones, iPads, and Xboxes. Now that would be a disaster! What could the Prophet Micah possibly say to the people who had suffered so greatly at the hands of the Assyrians? He told them to get back to basics with three things: Do Justice, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly with God.
Boys and Girls, this morning we are not recovering from an invasion of the Assyrians, but we are beginning our efforts to build a civilization of greater justice, mercy and love. This morning our learning community commits itself again to become engaged scholars who bring the best of our intelligence and critical thinking skills to our world's challenges, and to become effective communicators of the good news that invites us to a greater sense of solidarity, concern for the common good and true justice for others. We are dedicated liturgical musicians who in our celebrations inspire others to consider the seemingly counter-intuitive logic for life taught by Jesus of Nazareth, and in all of this we are committed to becoming responsible world citizens who will be agents of positive change for our communities.
Boys and Girls, we are the Madeleine Choir School, and this morning as we begin this new year, let's remember the great advice of the Prophet Micah: Do justice, Love Mercy and Walk Humbly with God.
Let us begin with prayer.
Loving and merciful God,
Your Spirit of wisdom fills the earth
And teaches us your ways.
Look upon our students.
Let them enjoy their learning
And take delight in new discoveries.
Help them to persevere in their studies
And give them the desire to learn all things well.
Look upon their teachers.
Let them strive to share their knowledge
With gentle patience;
And endeavor always to bring the truth to eager minds.
Grant that students and teachers alike may follow Jesus Christ,
the way, the truth and life
for ever and ever.
Amen.