Arizona. Kyrie Eleison.

Arizona is a geographically diverse state from its deserts to it snow covered mountains and forests. As equally diverse are the different cultures in Arizona from Native Americans, descendants of Spanish settlers and descendants of settlers from the United States. Arizona has the fifth most populous city in America and the most populous state capital in America; at the same time, it has some of the most rural areas in the nation, some only accessible by helicopter or hiking. These differences are Arizona's strength and beauty.

Since people come from all over to make Arizona home, Arizona is also politically diverse. It was born during the progressive movement and had a majority of progressive leaders early in its history. The provisions for referendum and recall in its constitution, stumbling blocks that delayed Arizona's admission to the Union because such things were too radical for the day, are evidence of this; the modest capital building and the fact that there is no governor's mansion also are signs of its populous roots.

Even as Arizona's political affiliations began to change, however, even as a more rugged individualism began to assert itself in its political life, it was mostly a "live and let live" philosophy. When the oft labeled "hawk" Barry Goldwater passed away, it was telling that his funeral was marked by signs of love and respect by Native American communities and by the homosexual community for his advocacy our their behalf. He loved Arizona and its people more than his politics and his party, which use to be the standard for politicians.

Overlapping Arizona's history, however, is also a story of violence born by being the crossroads of the tragic histories for many peoples. After the Civil War, ex-soldiers traumatized by war along with criminals looking for easier and more lucrative victims flooded the region. It became a plague, a surreal ugliness even more vivid when contrasted to the breathtaking beauty of the land. It was an ugliness that we thought was part of our history; yet, it is with a cruel irony that Rep. Gifford represents the district that contains Tombstone, Arizona, which was the stage for Arizona's most famous and symbolic act of violence and incivility- until today.

It is an incivility that reaches from the nightmares of our past and continues its attempt to turn Arizona's greatest strength, its great diversity, into a contemptible weakness. It is an incivility born in the partisan back-rooms of political extremism, which always views the motives of our neighbors in the worst possible light and which holds loving our neighbor in contempt, let alone our enemies. It is an incivility that is a nationwide plague that through immigration both from within and without has made Arizona a crucible to distill the worst demons of our nature.

Lord, have mercy on us. May we someday abandon the ugliness, hatred and death that has mocked Arizona's great beauty. May we someday be worthy of this ancient land with a great newborn's heart. Lord, forgive us. Amen.