"Probably the night before.....that's the way I always do it." This was Rev Joseph E Lowery's response to a reporter who contacted him and asked him when he was going to prepare his benediction prayer (full text) for Obama’s inauguration ceremony.
The 87 year old, retired Methodist minister and civil rights leader from Alabama said he was humbled to be involved.
In my opinion, Lowery stole the show! His benediction was the highlight of this historic occasion.
My favourite part is his contextualisation of the Prophets Micah and Isaiah. (Micah 4:3, Isa 2:4) Instead of beating swords into plowshares, Lowery prayed for a time when we would beat tanks into tractors. I guess when the first black President of the United States has just been inaugurated after decades of struggle for equality, a tongue-in-cheek sideswipe at America’s military policies was of little consequrence.
Beating “tanks into tractors” got me thinking about how Rev Lowery may translate Ephesians 6……
Stand firm then, with the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the flack jacket of righteousness in place, and with your feet booted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the riot shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the rounds of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the assault rifle of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
The 87 year old, retired Methodist minister and civil rights leader from Alabama said he was humbled to be involved.
In my opinion, Lowery stole the show! His benediction was the highlight of this historic occasion.
My favourite part is his contextualisation of the Prophets Micah and Isaiah. (Micah 4:3, Isa 2:4) Instead of beating swords into plowshares, Lowery prayed for a time when we would beat tanks into tractors. I guess when the first black President of the United States has just been inaugurated after decades of struggle for equality, a tongue-in-cheek sideswipe at America’s military policies was of little consequrence.
Beating “tanks into tractors” got me thinking about how Rev Lowery may translate Ephesians 6……
Stand firm then, with the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the flack jacket of righteousness in place, and with your feet booted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the riot shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the rounds of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the assault rifle of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Your comments are welcome!