Congressman Griffith’s Weekly E-Newsletter: Prayer, a Grand Duke and Easter

In my Easter column from last year, I discussed the importance of prayer.

Different communities of faith routinely embrace prayer and reflection.

I respect every community of faith and freedoms that permit exercising one’s religion of choice. For me and my family, we rely on prayer to grow as Christians.

When voting in DC, I join both House Democrats and House Republicans in attending a weekly prayer breakfast on Capitol Hill. While the politics of the day may put us at odds, the prayer breakfast is an opportunity for lawmakers to leave these policy differences aside, come together for our spiritual growth and reflect via prayer.

One recent prayer breakfast featured the testimony of former Democrat Congressman Bill Sarpalius of Texas. All former members are welcome. Congressman Sarpalius and others attend regularly.

I never served with Sarpalius, but I have heard him speak previously when sharing details of his personal and spiritual journey.

His life story is documented in his 2018 book, The Grand Duke from Boys Ranch.

“Boys Ranch” in Texas served as Sarpalius’ first real home during his upbringing. “Boys Ranch” provided stability for a kid whose family suffered immense struggles.

A man named Cal Farley led “Boys Ranch,” and he was a hero for the boys sent there. All the boys respected him.

Farley’s goal was to help the bottom rung of boys, the lowest of the low that nobody wanted. For so many of these boys who struggled to find love, “Boys Ranch” became their family.

“Boys Ranch” served Sarpalius well. He finally had access to food, an education and a stable family.

One day, Sarpalius was to give a sermon during a church service. It was his first public speech. He was nervous and uncertain. Farley reassured Sarpalius before the service that he would do just fine.

As Sarpalius nervously awaited to deliver his sermon, which was entitled “Are You Prepared for Death?” he noticed Farley suddenly fell out of his pew. Farley was rushed to the hospital.

The entire congregation went on with the service, but everyone’s thoughts centered on Farley.

Sarpalius, who still had to deliver his sermon and suspected Farley would not survive, ditched his prepared remarks in favor of an unrehearsed script. Sarpalius spoke from his heart about Farley’s life and his importance to the boys of “Boys Ranch.”

After the service, news broke that Farley had in fact died. Farley’s loss dealt a great blow to Sarpalius and his “Boys Ranch” family.

Sarpalius’ time at “Boys Ranch” came to a close months later, but what he learned from the Ranch prepared him well for life. Sarpalius credits his time at “Boys Ranch” for everything he has accomplished.

That includes a successful career in public office that eventually took him to Congress.

While a Congressman, Sarpalius had a visitor who informed him that part of his family was Lithuanian. As a result, he became a fierce advocate for the breakup of the Soviet Union’s Marxist/Communist Party in Lithuania.

Accordingly in 1990, President Bush sent Sarpalius to Lithuania to observe the Lithuania elections. Sarpalius was present in Lithuania the night that the Marxist/Communist Party fell.

Sarpalius was present when the new government created their constitutional government. The Americans shared our founding documents with them and the Lithuanians used this input.

Because of his advocacy, the Lithuanians would later name Sarpalius an honorary Grand Duke of the country.

Further, on that victorious night, crowds flooded the streets in jubilation. The churches, which had been ransacked and shuttered under Marxist/Communist rule, were revived.

Lithuania’s Cardinal, who had been under house arrest for more than 30 years, came out of solitary confinement and delivered Mass at a cathedral in Vilnius.

Everyone cried. After decades of Soviet oppression and quashed freedoms of religion and human rights, the people of Lithuania could exercise freedom, congregate and practice their faith!

Similar to the dark times that Lithuania faced under Soviet rule, Jesus’ crucifixion cast darkness over the land.

Jesus, born into the world to save us from our sins, was sentenced to death, died on a cross and was buried.

Believers of Jesus wept, mourned and agonized over the death of their savior.

But on the Third Day, Jesus rose again. He was resurrected!

This Easter season, I will reflect on how prayer and faith guided Congressman Sarpalius throughout his life. I will also pray for those communities that during times of darkness maintain their faith.