A Call to Responsibility and Service -- An Inaugural Address
Finally, this evening, on my computer screen, via YouTube, I watched Barack Obama deliver his inaugural address. I wish I had had the opportunity to do this in the company of others, but such was not to be m fortune. So, in the quiet of my study, I listened and considered a strong, somber, call to action. This was not a speech full of rhetorical flourish. It didn't rouse the crowds to cheer. Instead, it called the people gathered there in Washington, across the country, and around the world to ponder this moment in history.
In the beginning of the speech, he notes that some come to office in times of prosperity and/or peace, but others come to office "amidst gathering clouds and raging storms." And this is such a time. Indeed:
We may be living in a time of crisis, but others have met crises before and have prevailed and so will we. While he acknowledged America's military might, he also reminded us that this power cannot in and of itself protect us nor is it an excuse to do what we wish. Even though we face threats, such threats are no excuse to abandon our principles and values -- a rejection of the idea that times such as these require less than savory means of defense -- that is torture.
He spoke of science returning to its rightful place in our society. He spoke of curiosity and imagination. He called for a nation to believe that its best days are not in the past, but in the future. Yes, there are difficult times and decisions. Sacrifices must be made. But if we put our minds and hearts and bodies to work, we can succeed, even as our forebear's succeeded.
As a pastor and as one involved in interfaith work, I was please to hear his embrace of our diversity. It is in our diversity, as a patchwork people, that we find strength.
Indeed, in this most powerful speech, he called America, in all of its diversity, to band together and make use of its manifold gifts for the good of all. This patchwork nature of our nation provides the foundation for reaching beyond our borders to work in together with others, not as their superiors, but with a common humanity.
President Obama closed his speech with a reference to words spoken by General George Washington to the men at Valley Forge and a call to embrace the future in all of its difficulties, knowing that we are called upon to carry forward the legacy of freedom that was secured at that moment in time.
I will let the pundits decide whether this is a great speech or not, but I think it was the right speech for the moment. It didn't shrink back from the difficulties of the day. For the first time in a long time we heard the call to make sacrifices. For the first time in a long time we we were called upon as a nation to take responsibility for ourselves and for our neighbors. The issue is not whether the government is too big or too small -- if it doesn't work then we should fix it. But ultimately, it us, as citizens, who are called to action.
That is a good word to begin a most historic and important presidency. It is, as he said, a call to embrace "hope over fear."
In the beginning of the speech, he notes that some come to office in times of prosperity and/or peace, but others come to office "amidst gathering clouds and raging storms." And this is such a time. Indeed:
At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebears, and true to our founding documents.
We may be living in a time of crisis, but others have met crises before and have prevailed and so will we. While he acknowledged America's military might, he also reminded us that this power cannot in and of itself protect us nor is it an excuse to do what we wish. Even though we face threats, such threats are no excuse to abandon our principles and values -- a rejection of the idea that times such as these require less than savory means of defense -- that is torture.
He spoke of science returning to its rightful place in our society. He spoke of curiosity and imagination. He called for a nation to believe that its best days are not in the past, but in the future. Yes, there are difficult times and decisions. Sacrifices must be made. But if we put our minds and hearts and bodies to work, we can succeed, even as our forebear's succeeded.
As a pastor and as one involved in interfaith work, I was please to hear his embrace of our diversity. It is in our diversity, as a patchwork people, that we find strength.
For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.
Indeed, in this most powerful speech, he called America, in all of its diversity, to band together and make use of its manifold gifts for the good of all. This patchwork nature of our nation provides the foundation for reaching beyond our borders to work in together with others, not as their superiors, but with a common humanity.
President Obama closed his speech with a reference to words spoken by General George Washington to the men at Valley Forge and a call to embrace the future in all of its difficulties, knowing that we are called upon to carry forward the legacy of freedom that was secured at that moment in time.
So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:
"Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it]."
America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.
I will let the pundits decide whether this is a great speech or not, but I think it was the right speech for the moment. It didn't shrink back from the difficulties of the day. For the first time in a long time we heard the call to make sacrifices. For the first time in a long time we we were called upon as a nation to take responsibility for ourselves and for our neighbors. The issue is not whether the government is too big or too small -- if it doesn't work then we should fix it. But ultimately, it us, as citizens, who are called to action.
That is a good word to begin a most historic and important presidency. It is, as he said, a call to embrace "hope over fear."
Transcript can be found here.
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