Give Me Your Tired and Poor

One of the sweetest memories I have growing up in New York City is the view of the Statue of Liberty from the Staten Island Ferry. Growing up, I lived on Staten Island and, for a few years, went to Brooklyn Technical High School, a magnet type of engineering school. I have vivid memories of seeing Lady Liberty as I traveled to school each day (I took a bus, ferry and subway) and think that she represents some of the best things about America. A poem by Emma Lazarus is graven on a tablet within the pedestal on which the statue stands. Here is what it says:

The New Colossus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"


With election day one week away please join me in praying for America ... that we would be a people who care for the poorest amongst us and shows love for the immigrant. While you are at it pray for our churches and religious groups that care for our homeless, hurting and struggling brothers and sisters. Lady Liberty would appreciate it.

4 comments:

  1. Amen, Bob. I've posted a long thing on my blog about politics and religion that has been on mind a great deal of late. Feel free to stop by; would love to read your reaction to it.

    Best,
    Matt

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  2. Great reminder. I am always humbled to pray for those groups. As for voting, I'm ready!

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  3. . . . a message to help us to take our mind off of ourselves for a moment. May God grant us the power to look away from the mirror. Thanks Bob!

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  4. Good stuff, KB!

    I guess it really is hard to put today's poitical arena in perspective of our nation's humble history.

    If only we could see the things Lady Liberty has seen fom her perch on the water.

    She has seen brotherly kindness extended to total strangers.

    She has seen glistening hope in the eyes of those who had no hope.

    She has seen crowds give up their collective citizenships to become a part of the land over which she watches.

    She has seen ship after ship after ship carrying our nation's future leaders and collective heritage.

    She has seen the desire for freedom in the souls of the oppressed.

    She has seen great things! If only we could see what she has seen.

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