Can you hear it?
We’re praying.
No, it’s not just me. ReadTheSpirit readers are hearing it, too.
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA heard it in Washington D.C.
Click here to read and reflect on his historic 18-minute Inaugural Address.
THE POET JUDY NERI heard it in Maryland. Judy’s personal remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy was published on Monday. Then, she just sent us a follow-up note about this intense moment of hope we’re experiencing coast to coast. Judy, who is Jewish, recommends joining in the inclusive Inaugural Prayer we commissioned for today, written by the Rev. Marsha Woolley, who is Christian. Judy wrote:
The Inaugural Prayer by the Rev. Marsha Woolley is very true to — dare I say it? — PRESIDENT Obama’s constant theme that positive change has to come from all of us working together, and it expresses the hope of all of us that we are truly on the cusp of a deep transformational change that draws its strength from what is best in the American spirit.
There is something in the air that speaks to this feeling of hope, and I join Rev. Woolley in praying for his welfare and that of his family, and “that the good identified in Barack Obama will be used to turn around the hollow systems that have led us down selfish paths. . . .”
MUSICIAN ELAINE GREENBERG, an activist on behalf of people challenged by cancer, heard it in Michigan. Elaine’s note today says:
I can only hope with the rest of the country that Martin Luther
King’s words “I Have A Dream” will be a reality with our new
President. I find myself hanging onto every word he says.
THE SCHOLAR AND AUTHOR DR. ALLAN SCHNAIBERG heard it in Chicago. Dr. Schnaiberg is an occasional contributor to the OurValues.org Web site, hosted by Dr. Wayne Baker. (Today, Dr. Baker is welcoming your comments on the inauguration at OurValues.org — a great place to “stop by” while you’re watching the coverage and add a quick thought. Readers will appreciate your doing that.)
Dr. Schnaiberg wrote:
I am truly overwhelmed by the conjunction of Martin Luther King’s birthday and Barack Obama’s inauguration. During this past week, NPR’s “The Story” focused on the social history leading up to and moving beyond King’s life and assassination. I have high hopes — already realized — for an improvement in the morals and morale of America under Obama … I already have disagreements with a number of his proposals — but I have a deep trust that our differences will be aired and dealt with.
U.S. LEADERS WITHIN THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES hear it echoing, too. Today, they’re publishing an open letter to the new president that says in part:
We want you to know of the excitement about your inauguration as the 44th President of the United States felt by us and so many around the world, who are encouraged by your commitment to rekindle hope and your vision for this country and our world. …
We also share the soberness of the present time as you take office. The challenges are enormous and formidable. They are found in every sector of this society and, indeed, across the entire spectrum of the human family worldwide. So many people in this world of abundance struggle with poverty; we are called by God to address the needs of the poor. So many places of this world are broken by violence and war; we are called by Christ to be peacemakers.
Ours is not to point fingers at your new administration and say, “Fix it.” Rather, ours is to roll up our sleeves and partner with you to help bring about the changes that are so desperately needed for the United States and the world to more closely reflect God’s vision for humankind and all of creation.
You can read the entire U.S.-WCC letter on the WCC Web site.
And now …
HOW ABOUT YOU?
PLEASE, Tell Us What You Think.
This is a good time to sign up for our Monday-morning ReadTheSpirit Planner by Email—it’s
free and you can cancel it any time you’d like to do so. The Planner
goes out each week to readers who want more of an “inside track” on
what we’re seeing on the horizon, plus it’s got a popular “holidays”
section.
Not only do we welcome your notes, ideas, suggestions and personal
reflections—but our readers enjoy them as well. You can do this
anytime by clicking on the “Comment” links at the end of each story.
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(Originally published at https://readthespirit.com/)
