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A WORD FROM THE PASTOR
Inaugural Address
Every single Inaugural Address, from George Washington's to Joe Biden's, has been preserved. In these speeches, presidents have laid out for the country their dreams, goals, and aspirations.
Here is a part of the speech given by our first president, George Washington (April 30, 1789), when he bravely acknowledged the role of God in his administration: He said, "It would be improper to omit in this first official act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect."
Franklin Roosevelt said on March 4, 1933, "This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly." Americans remember the role of citizens outlined in president John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address (January 20, 1961), "In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger… And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man."
We could call to mind Ronald Reagan's American Song theme in 1985: "hopeful, big-hearted, idealistic - daring, decent and fair. That's our heritage, that's our song… we raise our voices to the God who is the author of this most tender music."
President Donald Trump decried in 2017: "For too long, a small group in our nation's capital has reaped the rewards of government, while the people have borne the cost. Washington flourished, but the people did not share in its wealth. Politicians prospered, but the jobs left and the factories closed. The establishment protected itself, but not the citizens of our country. Their victories have not been your victories. Their triumphs have not been your triumphs, and while they celebrated in our nation's capital, there was little to celebrate for struggling families all across our land. That all changes, starting right here and right now, because this moment is your moment - it belongs to you."
More recently president Joe Biden said in 2021: "Today, my whole soul is in this: Bringing America together. Uniting our people. And uniting our nation. I ask every American to join me in this cause. With unity we can do great things. Important things. We can right wrongs."
The current president Trump on 20th January 2025 announced: executive actions to fight illegal immigration, energy production by facilitating oil extraction, boost American manufacturing through tariffs on foreign goods, establish a Department of Government Efficiency... Trump asserted that he wanted to be known as a peacemaker and that the strength of a nation should be measured by how many wars it puts an end to or prevents altogether rather than by those it wins. He stated that the U.S. would send astronauts to Mars under his presidency. He claimed nothing is impossible for those who put in the effort, citing his own unexpected political comeback as an example.
No doubt you were able to identify several of the presidents by the historical references or by the famous lines, and while all of these Inaugural Addresses are important, some are moving, inspiring and worthy of remembrance.
In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 4, we have listened to an "inaugural address" delivered not to a Nation but to a synagogue congregation; not in an American city but in a poor village, Nazareth, in Galilee; and not by a man elected by the power of the people but by the God-man Jesus, anointed with the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus outlines his mission, vision and dreams in this famous reflection and teaching.
In the Service of the Lord,
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