PHOTO: J. Scott Applewhite/AP
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Psalm 46 (from President Obama’s speech)
President Obama delivered a powerful speech in Tuscon yesterday as he remembered those killed and wounded in Saturday’s shooting rampage and called Americans to respond to the tragedy in a way that would honor the victims. His words were eloquent and heartfelt. He spoke with the humility he recommended to all Americans.
After remembering each victim and recognizing those who assisted at the shooting scene and the medical staff who ministered to the wounded, Mr. Obama turned to inward reflection as well as the need to move forward.
Such a tragedy, similar to the sudden loss of a family member, moves us to reflection on our lives, how we treat others, and how we can change for the better in our public and private lives. Indeed, Mr. Obama’s words and presence created a feeling of intmacy and “family” among those listening to his words.
His speech helped me believe that change in political discourse is possible. Perhaps civility and respect in debate is not a lost cause. He sounded a call to work together for the common good, and as a good leader, helped us believe that we can do it.
Looking at the good qualities of our nation, government, and people in general through the eyes of the child, Christina Taylor Green, helped us see again the good in the world. He exhorted us not to look for an easy explanation or to point fingers at those who think differently than we do, but to search for answers in a way that in a way worthy of Christina.
Mr. Obama asked us to react in a way that lives up to the expectations of all our children. Using Scripture again, he referred to Job looking for light but finding only darkness. We cannot understand the presence of evil in the world, but we are responsible for how we live our lives combating the darkness in our own corner of the world.
I hope his words inspire us all, particularly those in Congress, to go forward willing to listen and to tackle the challenges we face without demonizing those with whom we disagree.
© Mary van Balen 2011
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