With God’s Grace

The greatly anticipated Presidential inauguration of Barack Obama filled the nation with much to talk about last month. The 1.8 million people who braved the crowds and cold weather shouted in unison, “Yes we can!!”

No matter what your political affiliation, you couldn’t help but feel hearts stirred, vision proclaimed, and history marked in this country.  Many people were seen on this historic day with joyful tears, smiles, and a yearning saying “yes we can” make change.  “Yes we can”  hope for a better future.  And “yes we can” make a difference when we work together.

It was a time of deep reflection as many could recall a time (less than 50 years ago) where all men were not treated as equals.  Whether on public buses, at the counter at Woolworths, or around drinking fountains and restrooms, power was misused as many were unfairly defined by the color of their skin.    During this period of unrest, protest and injustice, many brave Americans fought for freedom, peace and equality.

Martin Luther King invited Americans to believe in the dream that all black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  He hoped that all children would not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. 

Indeed, change takes time.  With great expectation,  President Obama, has been chosen to lead our country through the years ahead filled with great uncertainty.  Yet, one thing IS truly certain – God will be with us through every challenge, change, struggle and adversity.

 “Yes we can” - face any economic, social, family or emotional challenge in the coming year knowing that we are lovingly under God’s care.  Nothing will keep us from that love God has for us.  No illness, to war, no economic uncertainty, no job loss, not even death will take His love away!
 

St. Paul says,  “I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord”.  Romans 8:38-39
 

“Yes we can” - live in the hope of the present and not be haunted by the perils and abuses of the past.  Not be defined by the guilt and hurtful choices we made over the years.  Not be consumed by the worries and anxieties of the future.  We can bury the “what-ifs,” “should haves,” or “could haves” and ask God to help us make clear choices to respond with integrity, love, humility and patience in the present.  After all, yesterday is gone and we don’t have tomorrow.  The ‘only’ time we can truly have life is in the present!
 

“Yes we can” - realize new hope when we offer our hearts to Jesus, that He is able to transfigure the pain and suffering and give birth to a new way, a holy way, a fresh way to respond to the brokenness of our life.  God wants us to live up to our divine potential.  St. Ireneus said, “God’s glory is the human person becoming fully alive”.  We are to become alive in His love, alive in His compassion doing everything with extreme humility to the best of our abilities.
 

As we sing out during every Matin service: “God is the Lord and has revealed Himself to us.  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”  Indeed, “Yes we can” enter into a relationship with Jesus.  “Yes we can” support one another within the Body of Christ.  “Yes we can” be transformed through the grace of the Holy Spirit!

But, we can’t do it alone.  We must proclaim “Yes we can” as we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.”  Philippians 4:13

+Fr Tom