Diversity Training/ Invocation

It is quite the vogue to plant in large swaths of a single cultivar. It can be relaxing to the eye. It is less work. However, I do wonder what excitement is given up in the name of making things easy.

This iris is the last to emerge from a season that began early March. Clusters of 'Ballerina' rose adorn the garden's edge with their dainty feminine touch. From the sidewalk, hikers (much more accurate a description than 'walkers' on this incline) usually assume the rose is a hydrangea with the bouquet-like little blossoms.

It would be quite the statement if all my roses and iris were the same. Maintenance would be cut in half. The garden peak would be spectacular. But the everyday excitement of the interaction of the diversity in my garden- that would be lost.

Is it any different in real life? That is what I was thinking of in preparing the invocation given at this month's Diamond Bar Republican Women.

The words, delivered in 2001, by Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonya Sotomayer “I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn’t lived that life.” Certainly has freshened public debate about- If justice isn't blind, can it be just?

We take this moment to recognize You, God before country. We thank You to be able to gather together to thank you for the abundant blessings we enjoy. We thank you for those who come forward tonight in leadership and in teaching. Open our minds and hearts that your divine wisdom will lead us only to true teachings as we seek to be part of this world through political action that is not just consistent with our political leanings, but is in keeping with our individual faiths.
We humbly ask your blessings for our officials, elected and appointed. Those we voted for, and those we did not.
Lord, we ask for wisdom in explaining to those who doubt our sincerity. I am a Hispanic. The daughter of a Puerto Rican. I admit, I did puff with pride at the recent Supreme Court nomination. However, I am also the daughter of a man who had to fight for a job when he was unemployed because he happened to be white. Do not let our nation fall into the trap of righting past wrongs with fresh ones .
We believe that we are all made in your image, though we may differ in a thousand characteristics. The color of our skin, the ease with which we laugh, which political party we call home. We accept that some problems should be under the responsibility of the government to solve. We understand that some concerns are best left in the hands of spiritual leaders. Help us explain the difference, and why it is, that no matter the appropriate jurisdiction is, the family must always be respected .
When we leave here tonight, emboldened with fresh knowledge, temper our tongues with kindness, that do not unintentionally slam shut an open mind belonging to someone willing to learn.

As we succeed, remind us gently the importance of humility. The goodness of love. The motivation which springs from hope. And the importance that the change we seek is not for ourselves, but for the people and the nation you have so blessed in this most beautiful of states.
As this is the custom of my faith, I ask this in the name of my Lord, Jesus Christ.


I look forward to the unfolding in the confirmation hearings of Judge Sotomayar. Her confirmation should not be rushed or unduly hindered. The goodness of diversity is something I understand. For her, for our nation, what is deserved, is justice.