I decided to take a little break from reviewing the “Moments in Time” sermons. So much has happened in the last couple of weeks, it’s mind-boggling. Today, I’m not going to reflect on Trump, and the panic and chaos caused by some of his actions. It is easy to get caught up in that panic and chaos, and feel paralyzed by uncertainty. But that’s not going to help. That is giving him exactly what he’s looking for.
So, instead, I decided to look at moments of hope in the last couple of weeks. There was, of course, the inauguration prayer service held the day after the inauguration at Washington National Cathedral. From the beginning of the service, in all the prayers offered by the faith leaders, there was a reminder to us of what we need to do and who we need to focus on - the vulnerable, the marginalized, the outcast. And of course, there was Bishop Budde’s powerful sermon, calling for mercy. I’m going to listen to that service again and include its words and themes in my public and private worship.
I heard today (January 29) a video from a CNN host, Jim Acosta. I don’t know why I listened to the video. I don’t know Jim Acosta. I don’t listen to his show. The title of the video reads “Jim Acosta shares final words as he leaves CNN“. There was nothing in that title that I would’ve expected to draw me in. But I listened to it anyways.
He expressed gratitude for the people he worked and for his time at CNN. Then he went on to talk about the highlight of his career. It was not at the White House, covering Donald Trump but, instead, covering Barack Obama‘s trip to Cuba in 2016. During that trip he had the chance to question the dictator there, Raul Castro, about the island’s, political prisoners. He took home this lesson. It is never a good time to bow down to a tyrant. He talked about the job of the press being to hold power to account. He said:’ One final message. Don’t give into the lies. Don’t give into the fear. Hold onto the truth and hope - even if you have to get out your phone, record that message - ‘I will not give in to the lies. I will not give in to the fear.’
Fighting has stopped in Gaza, prisoners are being released and people are going home. There is still much to do but it is a first step.
That’s all I could find! If you have more, please send them along.
And just remember: the problem with political jokes is that they sometimes get elected. 🙁
good article, Sharon