Obama At Easter Prayer Breakfast: 'Resurrection ... Puts Everything Else In Perspective'

WASHINGTON -- Pausing to observe Holy Week amidst war and the policy struggles, President Barack Obama said on Tuesday that the agony of Jesus Christ through death and resurrection puts mere political struggle "in perspective."

For the second year running, Obama hosted an Easter prayer breakfast at the White House, and the East Room was filled with administration officials and clergy from across the country.

Obama said "critical national debates" are raging, and "my plate has been full as well. The in-box keeps accumulating. But then comes Holy Week ...

"As busy as we are, as many tasks as pile up, during this season, we are reminded that there is something about the resurrection ... of Our Savior Jesus Christ that puts everything else in perspective."

Obama spoke just before heading to a town meeting in Virginia on his deficit plan -- the start of a cost-to-coast tour promoting his fiscal blueprint as more balanced than the one advocated by congressional Republicans.

Obama has used previous prayer breakfasts to underscore the depth of his Christian faith in the face of polls indicating some Americans question his religious beliefs. Last August, a Pew Research Center poll found 18 percent wrongly believe that Obama is a Muslim.

On Tuesday, Obama recounted the story of Christ's march to Calvary, the crucifixion and resurrection, the "unfathomable grace" of taking on the sins of the world.

"This amazing grace calls me to reflect, and it calls me to pray," he said.

Obama said his daughters help keep things in perspective for him, and so does having a "strong spouse.... But nothing beats Scripture and the reminder of the Eternal."

Comments

[califson]

05:53 PM on 04/26/2011

Are we praying for our president daily? For his safety, for his family and for God to guide his every decision? We should be. He rarely makes a decision with which I personally agree, and I wont vote for him. But he is our president. He and staff made a major mistake by not making a White House statement on Good Friday and Easter. No other U.S. President would allow that to happen.

[Bobrobert]

06:34 PM on 04/27/2011

Praise be to God for placing President Obama ...

I am proud to call him President....

If the Lord wanted someone in the White House to make a statement on Good Friday and Easter the Lord would have placed someone else there.

Pray, and never sweat the little things.

God is good.

:-)

[Demetrois]

12:05 PM on 04/25/2011

Imagine if we were to truly wake up (metaphorically) and realize that we are not merely flesh and bones but spiritual beings having a physical experience what a wonderful world it would be. Then, maybe only then, we would not judge so harshly those who do not believe and evenmore those who profess their belief in faith. Maybe then we (all of humanity) knowing that we share this common truth that we are One people (sharing this beautiful planet and these wonderful experiences) can we get closer to overcoming our bigotry, hate of all things different, and our natural inclination to do evil (whether in thoughts, words or deeds).

Imagine the free time we would have. We may even choose to dedicate our time greater issues happening in the world. May we all be a light (where darkness and/or evil exist) irregardless of percieved or real physical limitation in all its form, the spirit in us can truly make a difference right here on earth.

As for the President may he continue to practice his Faith and may God bless and protect him.

[thezestyitalian1]

05:35 PM on 05/28/2011

couldnt have said it better myself... thank you for posting this

[sandlev]

11:07 AM on 04/25/2011

There is far too much religion of whatever sort in American public life. Private life, too, in my opinion, but that is one's own business.

[joe5591]

02:45 PM on 04/24/2011

It seems that half the people here are bashing Obama because he is not really Christian and the rest are bashing him because he IS a Christian. Does that mean both sides here are right, or are both sides wrong? Personally, I believe it is a non-issue. Let people worship, or not worship, in peace. It's no one's concern but Obama's.

[RobertinNJ]

07:56 PM on 04/24/2011

Both sides are wrong...

[grailknight]

11:01 PM on 04/24/2011

True, it's no one concern but Obama's, hence he shouldn't profess his faith publicly.

[garybob]

08:22 AM on 05/18/2011

Your opinions are no one concern but your own, hence you shouldn't profess them publicly.

[Windfish]

07:46 PM on 05/18/2011

He SHOULDN'T? On what possible grounds? Should he not profess his blackness publicly?

[NoboyukiMasaki]

11:05 AM on 04/24/2011

***This is my 5th attempt at posting a comment***

As Radio Frequency Engineer, I am certain that 99% of the atheists in this forum wouldn't last 5 minutes with me in an open debate about Physics.

And yet, people here post as though Physics has somehow explained the origin of the universe.

It hasn't.

It can't.

Big Bang Theory, Continuous Expansion / Collapse Theory, and Supersymmetry - ALL have limitations which preclude any of them from becoming the fabled 'Theory of Everything' (TOE).

These theories do not prove or disprove anything. If you guys knew this, then you wouldn't be so quick to indiscriminately disrespect others.

[garybob]

08:45 AM on 05/18/2011

It's not just a matter of bad science; it's also a matter of bad philosophy. Most people here don't even understand the underlying philosophies on which they are basing their reasoning. Hence there is a lot of jumbled nonsense.

An interesting note: astrophysicists have a much larger theist:atheist ratio than other scientists. Perhaps because they understand the limitations of their own field.

As an aside, I have quite a few friends with their doctorates in physics. I got my masters in electromagnetism (electrical engineering) and I know a thing or two about radios. ;D

[NoboyukiMasaki]

10:42 AM on 04/24/2011

Why can't I make a comment?

(I'll bet this one gets posted)

[peterz]

09:13 AM on 04/24/2011

if Obama thinks the resurerection has put everything into context he's lost his mind...

[the griff]

11:25 PM on 04/23/2011

This wa nothing more than a photo opp. In my opinion such actions is using God's name in vain.

[NoboyukiMasaki]

06:46 PM on 04/23/2011

All of the intolerant Democrats need to get a grip!

Not every Democrat is an atheist.
Not every Democrat is pro-choice.
Not every Democrat is pro-Gay marriage.

What we are, however, is the one party EMBRACING DIVERSITY.

All of you anti-Christian Democrats need to get a hold of your hatred, your sarcasm, and your really nasty attitudes - either that, or join the Republican Party.

Because there's no place for you here...

Obama '12 / Democratic Party '12

[the griff]

11:27 PM on 04/23/2011

So its up to you to make that decision. You speak of diversity then you turn right around and condemn it.

[peterz]

09:19 AM on 04/24/2011

you need to get a grip.....your comments illustrate why people like me, liberal and atheist, will not join the Democratic party, but register as Independents.....had enough of group-think....

it's not hate to hold people's feet to the fire for embracing superstition or any form of backwards thinking.....

When I can turn on Sunday TV and see 3 or 4 channels with Atheists "preaching" reason and evidence then maybe we'll be on an even keel...

[TucsonChick28]

06:03 PM on 04/24/2011

I'm not Catholic but I'm going to share this quote with you.

I would rather live my life as if there is a God and die to find out there isn't than to live as if there isn't and die to find out there is. Mother Theresa

[cdnrod5]

06:34 PM on 04/23/2011

anyone ever seen obama eat a pork chop?

[the griff]

11:28 PM on 04/23/2011

Or ribs? Good observation.

[RobertinNJ]

07:58 PM on 04/24/2011

How many of us have dined with him at all???? Sort of a silly question.

[Marcia Nelson]

08:34 AM on 04/23/2011

Not Jesus...........the ACTS of the sacrifice , puts it all into perspective.
Looking , reflecting , and taking up your own cross...

He is not the only one using this as a way to describe Easter... Lenten experiences , walking in the last week of Jesus life.. and ending with He is risen.. is for modern times ...bearing your crosses.. reflecting .. and getting your life on tract.. its all about Perspectives It not a myth.... Jesus destiny was set.....

[Cheapthrills]

11:27 AM on 04/22/2011

"But nothing beats Scripture and the reminder of the Eternal."...and the easter bunny.
So, what do the Big O's scriptures say about droning people to de.a.th?

[peterz]

08:16 AM on 04/22/2011

has Obama lost it?

It ain't the myth of jesus that should cause us to pause to put things into perspective.....it's the day to day misery of 10s of millions of human and non-human creatures on this planet, much of it brought on by us, by our gonvernment's policies, and by our national greed...

The moment of silence should be to reflect on all the innocents they have thrown under the bus while pursuing corrupt and self-serving goals rather that be part of some ancient voodoo like ritual...what a joke.....

[avril666]

03:24 AM on 04/22/2011

lovely how they tied the death of Jesus to the jewish holiday of passover where the fable states jews slaughtered egyptian infants to gain passage to a 40 year journey in the desert.

[the griff]

01:47 AM on 04/22/2011

This is like Jesse James addressing the bankers association. What a joke!