Michelle Obama cites Jesus as model for citizenship

First lady Michelle Obama Thursday offered a rare public reflection on
her religious faith, telling a conference of the African Methodist
Episcopal church that the life of Jesus Christ is a model for democratic
organizing.

"It's kind of like church," Obama said. "Our faith journey isn't just
about showing up on Sunday for a good sermon and good music and a good
meal. It's about what we do Monday through Saturday as well, especially
in those quiet moments, when the spotlight's not on us, and we're making
those daily choices about how to live our lives.

"We see that in the life of Jesus Christ. Jesus didn't limit his
ministry to the four walls of the church," she said. "He was out there
fighting injustice and speaking truth to power every single day. He was
out there spreading a message of grace and redemption to the least, the
last, and the lost. And our charge is to find Him everywhere, every day
by how we live our lives."

Obama, who is not a regular churchgoer, said citizenship like the practice of faith is "not a once-a-week kind of deal."

"Democracy is also an everyday activity," she said. "And being an
engaged citizen should once again be a daily part of our lives."

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The first lady said such engagement involved "the tireless, the
thankless, relentless work of making change, you know, the
phone-calling, letter-writing, door-knocking, meeting-planning kind of
work."

Her appearance at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tenn., was
dubbed an official event by the White House to recognize the history and
legacy of the AME church, particularly its role in the civil rights
movement.

"Time and again, history has shown us that there is nothing - nothing -
more powerful than ordinary citizens coming together for a just cause,"
Obama said. "And that is particularly true of folks in the AME church."

The first lady concluded her trip to Tennessee with a campaign fundraiser in Memphis.