It’s a delight to have a good marriage.

Marriage is a blessing that’s most sacred.

Couples exchange vows

Pledging their faithfulness to this union

Marriage is the foundation

On which many responsible families

Are nurtured with sound goals

There’s trust in such a relationship.

Marriage is important and beneficial.

This union shouldn’t be entered casually.

It’s serious when couples are united for life.

Undoubtedly both parties are sincere.

Marriage vows attest to a shared future.

It’s a mystery for much is unknown.

But couples make promises to be faithful.

In good health and in sickness

They must hold hands down their path

Once the marriage is consecrated

There are other concerns to worry about

Couples may decide to have a family

That in itself can be stressful

But a couple must persevere in their lives

“”Holy Benefactor, be with couples as they pledge their matrimonial vows.  Guide them in their new life together, and lift them up to be a loving family.”

Amen

Talking about being able to breathe

And not suffocating in old age

Just look at the risks

Facing those that retire

Whether it’s at age 55, 65, or 70

Wenliang Hou, an economist

At the Center for Retirement Research of Boston College

Identified the risks of a typical retiree:

■ How long will a retiree live?

A lot of this projection has to do

Whether an individual dies at a younger age,

Or lives to be quite old by outliving the retirement funds

■ How are the markets doing?

A great deal depends on if the returns

Of the stock market on the investments are strong or weak

■ What is the nature of a retiree’s health?

An individual’s health can be a tricky business

No one knows if a retiree will enjoy good health

Or if he or she will be dogged with chronic health problems

■ What are the challenges faced by families?

Some families throughout their lives are economically independent.

While a few might suffer the death of a spouse

And others unforeseen circumstances that are problematic

■ Would there be policy risks?

Imagine if there are cuts to Social Security benefits

Or if the family insurance company is bankrupt

“Universal Provider, help retirees that have established safety nets with the funds they need to live in retirement.  Protect their investments from the whims of market-fluctuations and bankruptcies.”

Amen     

American society is polarized.

Misinformation has poisoned relationships.

People aren’t like what they use to be.

There are at each other’s throat.

This dilemma is mainly caused by politics.

President Trump has sold Americans on “the big lie.”

He claims the 2020 elections were rigged.

Predominantly millions of Republicans believe this tale.

And this fallacy has permeated much of the society.

Families are affected and can’t talk intelligently to each other.

But such an atmosphere isn’t new to the world.

It deeply divided, corrupted, and led to the fall of Nazi Germany.

But what could change this trend in America?

This will call for the revamping of our educational system

The nation’s schools at the elementary, middle, high school, and college should be revamped.

Educators should add world religions, philosophy, ethics, and poetry to their curriculum.

Let students be exposed to the intricacies of what it’s like to live in different faith traditions.

Let them start examining the big questions of life.

Let them think about the life’s dimensions – ethnicity, social justice, and civics,

Let them learn critical thinking, and heed the poetic imperative to live compassionately.

Help our students develop new and helpful perspectives of morality.

All these perspectives should be taught to our pupils at an early age.

Then they would have the foundation of understanding their fellowmen and women in uniquely positive ways.

“Omnipotent Creator, help us to amend our ways that have been ripped apart by misinformation. Be with the American society as teachers build a curriculum for facing these social problems and by educating students to counter this poisonous atmosphere.  And guide Americans to continue to live as a free nation and to be a beacon of hope to the world.”

Amen   

How would you like to be a human rights defender?

What does this mean?

Where do you work?

And what can you expect?

These answers are most challenging.

A human rights defender fights to protect human rights.

He or she promotes the welfare of all citizens.

They work locally, nationally, and internationally.

These are the defenders of a variety of cases.

They range from employment issues, health care, rights to life,

Food, water, executions, torture, indigenous, and women rights

These defenders fight for human rights for all.

Problems are everywhere in the vast expanse of the world.

They are in democratic and non-democratic countries.

Challenges vary from HIV/AIDS, the coronavirus, migration,

Structural adjustment policies and political transitions

Defenders monitor regional and worldwide conditions.

They collect and disseminate information on violations

And work to bring reports to key political and judicial officials

Human rights organizations publish reports about their findings.

They ensure accountability to respect human rights legal standards.

“Benevolent Judge, help the human rights defenders to work for the best interests of their countries.  By so doing give them wisdom, and the will to be effective change agents in their respective communities.”

Amen