Monday, January 19, 2009

Bishop Gene Robinson's Inauguration Prayer

January 18, 2009, Episcopalian Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire gives the invocation for the "We Are One" concert at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC.



This makes me so happy, to have the very first prayer of the inauguration festivities given by Bishop Robinson. He doesn't just ask God's blessing; he is a blessing. He makes me proud to be an Episcopalian.

Listening to him, I am reminded of the feeling that having a woman priest gives me. It's an affirmation of the value of a group of oppressed and disdained people, who may then be empowered and mobilized because of that priest's extraordinary courage and leadership. I'm so thrilled that Robinson was given this honor and responsibility and visibility.

Bishop Robinson appeared last Wednesday (January 14, 2009) on the Rachel Maddow Show. I confess to grinning like an idiot through the whole interview.



I echo Bishop Robinson's sentiments: "I long for a government that respects the dignity of every human being, especially those who are less fortunate." And I love the notion of Jesus having a "big tent." That should make us all happy campers, eh?

4 comments:

  1. Thanks for posting these! I wish there were more Robinsons (and Maddows, for that matter) in the world. :)

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  2. You're welcome, Emily! I think that the fact that we now have Robinson and Maddow means that we will soon have more. I have no doubt that they are blazing a trail for others. I am full to the brim with hope!

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  3. I can see why you call him a blessing, Mary -- and why you are proud to have Robinson represent your church. His prayer is beautiful and powerful -- and I agree, I love how inclusive and loving he is!

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  4. He is so inclusive and loving. I love his demeanor. I was soooo disappointed that HBO omitted his prayer from its broadcast of the "We Are One" concert. The Obama folks have issued an apology and when HBO rebroadcasts the concert, the prayer will be included. Seems like pretty bad form to me, after all the flap over Warren.

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