Bono at National Prayer Breakfast 2006

I just read this article on Urbana.org’s WhirledView that contains the transcript of Bono’s remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast on January 6, 2006. Bono speaks pretty emphatically and poignantly about the connection between the poor and justice.

Here are a few excerpts that I found meaningful:

Look, whatever thoughts you have about God, who He is or if He exists, most will agree that if there is a God, He has a special place for the poor. In fact, the poor are where God lives…

But justice is a higher standard. Africa makes a fool of our idea of justice; it makes a farce of our idea of equality. It mocks our pieties, it doubts our concern, it questions our commitment… Preventing the poorest of the poor from selling their products while we sing the virtues of the free market…that’s a justice issue. Holding children to ransom for the debts of their grandparents…that’s a justice issue. Withholding life-saving medicines out of deference to the Office of Patents…that’s a justice issue…

A number of years ago, I met a wise man who changed my life. In countless ways, large and small, I was always seeking the Lord’s blessing. I was saying, you know, I have a new song, look after it?. I have a family, please look after them?. I have this crazy idea…
And this wise man said: stop.
He said, stop asking God to bless what you’re doing.
Get involved in what God is doing – because it’s already blessed.

Bono’s organization DATA also has a copy of the transcript. And if you’re not into reading, here’s the CNN video link.