MAKE US (AMERICANS) ONE

Every year, I'm glad to see the end of Christmas and the beginning of a new year. I'm hopeful, because it seems that every January 1st, we get to start over, or start anew. Fresh. Clean. Innocent, even.

My late pastor, the Rev. Dr. Robert T. George, used to always preach the same sermon, every 1st Sunday of the New Year. The Theme: "LORD, MAKE US ONE."

That sermon never grew boring, or old, or tired - it was timeless in that, where there still were divisions among us, be they societal, racial, class status, economic, educational, or political, there was my Pastor, pleading before God Almighty to "MAKE US ONE."

As in "ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL."

As in "WE ARE ALL OUR BROTHER'S KEEPERS."

As in "WE'RE ALL IN THIS LIFE ON PLANET EARTH TOGETHER."

As in what Jesus depicted through His earthly life as He brought together those 12 disciples who came from every and all walks of life. Regardless of political or societal affiliations. Jesus didn't care if you were a Harvard Law Grad, or an alumni of St. Albans; in fact, He probably was more comfortable at being with those who were considered "the scum of the Earth."

Yet, Jesus always considered every one He met as a potential "brother (or sister) in Christ."

In other words, He pleaded the same plea of my late pastor when Rev. George preached the sermon "MAKE US ONE." No division, no discrimination, no biases, no wingnuttery (while pimpin' Jesus' name to make it legit), love, mercy, compassion for all, regardless of their status in life, or what the viccisitudes of life has dealt them. We shouldn't have to wait before a national disaster like Hurricane Katrina hits to show any of the above, to whomever is in need of love, a kind word, or a generous gesture to help out.

And last, but not least, I'm pledging to do whatever I can, in whatever capacity I can, to work towards getting individuals elected to public offices, be they state, city council, school board, Congressional or Senate seats, in this year, who believes that our country should be united and will use their office to facilitate whatever is needed in that America can say "MAKE US ONE, BECAUSE WE ARE ONE!"

HAPPY NEW YEAR!