"You're delivering the prayer for the media?"
I was confronted by that question, asked in an exasperated tone, by a number of people over the last few weeks.
Everyone from my wife to Governor O'Malley confronted me with that question when they learned that I would be delivering the prayer for the media at the 17th annual Interfaith Prayer Celebration.
It took place on New Year's Eve at St. Ignatius Catholic Church on Calvert Street.
Before we get to my prayer, let me tell you about the service.
It features prayers and music from Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders. Everyone is offering prayers for unity and peace in the new year.
In the 90 minute service the 300 people who attended experienced a Call to Prayer from Imam Earl El-Amin, from the Muslim Community Culture Center; a sermon/homily from Episcopal Bishop Eugene Sutton; and they heard Rabbi Jon Konheim of Congregation Beth Am blow the shofar (ram's horn) to ring in the new year.
There was music and prayers chanted in English, Spanish and Hebrew.
Additionally members of the community from politics, medicine, education, law enforcement and the media led prayers of thanksgiving and praise for their professions.
Governor O'Malley, Mayor Sheila Dixon, and City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake led the prayers for the city and state.
I led the prayer for the media.
It was composed by Father William Waters of St. Ignatius, although I added the words "accuracy fairness and compassion" as well as including the Internet along with radio, television and newspapers.
We give praise and thanks to God for members of the media, newspapers, radio, television and Internet. May we continue to perform our tasks with integrity, accuracy, fairness, compassion and grace.
You, the WBAL listener, can decide if our work in the new year lives up to the words in that prayer. It is certainly our goal in the coming year as we continue to earn your trust. It is a trust I never take for granted.
I can say that it was an honor and a bit humbling to deliver that prayer. I want to thank Father Waters and everyone at St. Ignatius for inviting me.
Thanks also to my colleague John Patti for recommending me.
The service was a special way to ring in the new year.