Oh What a Day… An invocation, a presidential speech, and a benediction all at one inauguration

January 20, 2009 · Filed Under Baum's Blog 

Oh, what a day it has been!  Watching the inauguration was powerful and inspiring.  It is an event that ushers in an era of hope and hopefully peace and good things for America.

A few random thoughts on the inauguration:

Pastor Rick Warren’s invocation was terrible.  I found it disjointed in content, and oddly delivered.  His attempt to be ecumenical was awkward and ultimately meaningless (he recited the Shema, the so-called watchword of Judaism).  He was boring.  He did not acknowledge the situation we are actually in – he focused on the positives of living in America while ignoring the harsh realities it also brings. 

Warren focused on Obama as a leader, and didn’t inspire us to be part of the change.  He said “we now commit” the Obamas “into your loving care” which sounded like a eulogy to me.  He concluded with the “Our Father” prayer.  Is this typical for inaugurations? I thought it was a horrible way to end.  Overall, I felt that he was attempting to speak for us, rather than with us – which is so not Obama’s style.

In contrast, I loved Reverend Joseph Lowery’s benediction.  He was fabulous.  As a co-founder, along with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Lowery was the perfect man to have the honor of delivering the benediction.  His words were poetic and inspiring; I particularly loved his line “as we leave this mountain top…”

Lowery acknowledged the world we live in, speaking about the need to “restore stability, mend our brokenness, heal our wounds” and more.  He focused on human responsibility, not just President Obama’s role.  He talked about unity, support, sacrifices, respect, turning to one another, and other important values.  He was amazing! 

Of course, Lowery’s lines about “work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around, when yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right” were funny and significant.  I’m not sure anyone else could have delivered those words with as much meaning and seriousness, even acknowledging their humor, as Lowery did.  And, the best part?  He got the crowd to shout “amen” a few times at the end. 

Not surprisingly, I also thought Obama was fabulous.  He seemed true to himself, and genuine.  He acknowledged our challenges, and he acknowledged that there are cynics… and yet, he leads me to believe the world truly will be a better place.  At one point during his speech, I thought to myself “wow, he’s not just giving a beautiful speech, he’s talking to ME (and every other American!).  He’s telling us we have a responsibility to help our communities and our world.”  I truly hope that each of us embraces that responsibility with great effort and pride.

Since it’s always about me, Lowery and Obama made me realize I better get working on my High Holiday sermons.  Though I will not be able to deliver them with as much insight and gracefulness as these two men, I guess I’ll give it a try.

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