On the Other Side: Reflection on the Inauguration of President Barack Hussein Obama

"We pray not only for our nation, but for a community of nations....we know that Lord, you're able and you're willing to work through faithful leadership to restore stability, mend our brokenness, heal our wounds and deliver us from the exploitation of the poor. of the least of these and from favoritism..."

The closing prayer of today's historically momentous presidential election summed up the hopes that so many millions have held as they voted and came to this important day. Only minutes ago, Barack Hussein Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America.

In his address to the nation, Obama looked back on our country's great history and challenged each and every American to go forward fearlessly, not being divided by political or personal biases, but rather boldly facing the challenges--social, economic and moral--that are before us all. His words brought eruptions of joyous applause.

Elizabeth Alexander, privileged to share her poetry written especially for this inauguration, expressed the hopes of many Americans as we enter the coming days (from the New York Times ):

"All about us is noise and bramble, thorn and din...

Someone is trying to make music somewhere

with a pair of wooden spoons on an oil drum...

A woman and her son wait for the bus

A farmer considers the changing sky

A teacher says "Take out your pencils...begin."

"...I need to see what's on the other side."

Today Barack Obama has taken out his pencil and is beginning, through his service as President of the United States of America, to write the next era in American History. As the days to come unfold, we will all see "what's on the other side."

The U.S. Navy Sea Chanter's Chorus is now singing the National Anthem. All rise! May each of us do our part--through prayer, service and kindness to others--to make the United States a nation that continues to succeed, grow and be a beacon of hope in the world.