Jutta Bluehberger

I had not planned it, but since my other plans for today did not work out, I eventually decided to join some collegues and watch the inaguration of Obama Barack on TV. It was a first for me in many ways. I realized that I had never seen an inauguration before, maybe because I hardly ever owned a TV. It was interesting for me as non-American but here I only want to comment on the two inaugural prayers:

I had not been aware of the discussion that seemingly has happened before the inauguration, whether Rick Warren will pray in the name of Jesus or not. From what I read and hear now (here and here), I get the impression that no matter what he would do, somebody would critize him. I thought he did a great job in many ways. I really liked that he pronounced Jesus’ name according to different languages and traditions:

“We now commit our new president and his wife, Michelle and his daughters, Malia and Sasha, into your loving care.

I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life, Yeshua, Isa, Jesus [Spanish pronunciation], Jesus, who taught us to pray: … ”
(quoted here).

I did not know the guy who gave the final benediction, Rev. Joseph E. Lowery, but I was quite intriged by him. It seems that he has the same problem as Rick Warren – no matter what he did, he would be critizied either from one side or the other. I liked his humorous rhyming refrain at the end, but  some people seem to take offence with it, especially the reference to the white people (see comments here):

“We ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to give back, when brown can stick around, when yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead, man, and when white will embrace what is right.” (quoted here).

I am glad to have watched it, as I, too, feel that it was a historical moment.