Moral leadership, responsibility highlighted in inaugural address
“The nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous.”
These were among the words that most moved me in President Barack Obama’s inaugural address. His speech was filled with references to sacrifice, duty, and responsibility, and I found that focus extremely hopeful and inspiring. While some of Obama’s detractors seem to hear in such statements a kind of muffled threat of socialism, I hear instead an echo of the Biblical imperatives to love one another and to care for the least of our brothers and sisters.
The beautiful benediction offered by the Rev. Joseph Lowery ended with the words: “Let all those who do justice and love mercy say Amen!” Those are Biblical values, but they are American values as well, and they will serve our new president well as he navigates the many difficult decisions that lie ahead.
We cannot demand of other nations that which we are unwilling to do…
