Beloved Friends-

I don’t know about you, but lately I have grown tired of watching the seemingly endless loop of political commentaries day in and out when it comes to what is happening (or not happening) in our nation’s capital. I used to watch on a regular basis or listen to the radio in order to stay aware and informed as engaged citizen, but that has waned in the passing months. 

Two years ago this month we were all glued to our screens as we watched another presidential inauguration. I remember feeling optimistic that things were going to change and a new dawn was imminent; but I just don’t see it today.

So, I thought that maybe today I would share again the reflections I offered two years ago when it felt like things were changing – moving us into a new season of civil discourse and the return to the great experiment of embracing democracy.

Here is a portion of what I wrote then and still feel now. I hope they help remind us of the power and purpose in striving for dignity and respect for all persons, and seeing the best in each other every day.

January 22, 2021

Out of all the historic and impactful moments of that day, none touched me deeper than the words and presence of 22 year-old, Harvard graduate, social activist and now youngest inaugural poet in US history, Amanda Gorman. It is hard to articulate in words the power of those 5 minutes many of us experienced together around the country and, I pray, around the world, as she so beautifully recited with such exquisite elegance the words of her poem written for this moment, “The Hill We Climb.” A New York Times article claimed she, “capture[d] the moment in verse” and while true it seemed to be so much more.

From where I stand, she “preached” what I call and claim as the Good News; she peeled back the layers of deceit and deception we have wallowed in for too long and helped us look directly into “the belly of the beast.” But she did not leave us there in the darkness. She reminded us in rhyme and perfect rhythm the dawn is here and we are not broken but simply unfinished. And then, who other me than me needed to also hear we are not striving for perfection but for purpose?  Preach!

Finally, as if her words were offered just for us in the middle of this season of Epiphany- a time when we look for the light to guide us forward to reveal the path leading us home to our better selves, as well as deeper into the heart of God, Gorman closed with these impassioned words:

Our people diverse and beautiful
will emerge battered and beautiful
When day comes we step out of the shade
of flame and unafraid
the new dawn blooms as we free it
For there is always light
if only we are brave enough to see it.
If only we are brave enough to be it.

So my friends, as we move further in 2023 -let us push away the cobwebs of any discontent and instead, roll up our collective sleeves, commit to being bridges and beacons of light, doing all we can in the name of revolutionary Love to help heal this nation and move us forward together. Let it begin with us.

May it be so dear ones, may it be so!

And may you never forget that you are loved.

Lisa

Translate »