Say amen somebody!*

Spiritual resource to share: one another's blessings

Staging at the Obama Inauguration 1.20.09

What can I say after a day packed with inspiration? Only to repeat what has already been shared.

Here is an excerpt from Reverend Lowery's benediction blessing at the Inauguration yesterday: (Thanks Maggie for posting this on facebook.)

The Rev. Joseph Lowery's Benediction:

"God of our weary years, God of our silent tears,
Thou who has brought us thus far along the way,
Thou who has by Thy might led us into the light,
keep us forever in the path, we pray,
lest our feet stray from the places, our God,
where we met Thee, lest our hearts,
drunk with the wine of the world, we forget thee.

Shadowed beneath thy hand may we forever stand --
true to thee, O God, and true to our native land.

[...]

Help us then, now, Lord,
to work for that day when nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
when tanks will be beaten into tractors,
when every man and every woman shall sit under his or her own vine and fig tree,
and none shall be afraid;

when justice will roll down like waters
and righteousness as a mighty stream.
Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest,
and in the joy of a new beginning,
we ask you to help us work for that day
when black will not be asked to get back,
when brown can stick around -- (laughter) --
when yellow will be mellow -- (laughter) --
when the red man can get ahead, man -- (laughter) --
and when white will embrace what is right.

Let all those who do justice and love mercy say amen.

AUDIENCE: Amen!

REV. LOWERY: Say amen --

AUDIENCE: Amen!

REV. LOWERY: -- and amen.

AUDIENCE: Amen!

(Cheers, applause.)

See the whole benediction here:



*Say Amen Somebody is a little known documentary about the history of the American Gospel movement. A long time favorite of Rick's and mine.

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