Ode to Liberty and Democracy for Us
While twentysome people gathered via Zoom and physically with proper distancing, little did we know that we would unearth gems while holding the U.S. election process in affirmative prayer. Many shared powerful intentions and prayers of respect, equality, civility and more while collectively generating the energy to sustain these. One that stood out and set the tone is Katja Sage's invocation to start this event. Such is its poignancy and clarity that we just had to share it with you. It is worth reading Ode to Lady Liberty multiple times. It starts with quoting the The New Colussus by Emma Lazarus which is inscribed at Lady Liberty's feet in New York Harbor.
Ode to Lady Liberty
“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!”
(The New Colossus, Emma Lazarus, Nov 2, 1883)
Our Lady, Lady of Liberty, ancient and eternal Libertas,
these words are inscribed at the foundation of your statue,
your physical representation in this land.
They are engraven in our hearts
and in the heart of Democracy, itself.
We invoke your healing presence,
your promise of solace and sanctuary,
of all peoples living as One beyond your shores.
Turn your steadfast gaze on our future, near and far,
and let us see with your clarity, your compassionate wisdom.
Hold high your torch so that its rays illumine our hearts and spirits,
and bring love and welcome to all the dark places in this country
where fear and blindness reside.
By your shining example, let us walk in your ways,
and hold high our own torches
proclaiming our dedication
to your ideals of personal and collective freedom.
Inspire us to live our lives in active compassion and welcome.
Help us to always extend
the promise of your unconditional inclusion
to people everywhere and from every land,
for all those here in this country,
and the parts of ourselves and places in our hearts
where we do not yet experience this fully.
Let each of us stand as a presence of radiant love,
true to the pathway of justice
for which your flames have never wavered.
Your very name carries within it a promise,
Liber, from an ancient word for free,
meaning 'belonging to the people.'
The loosed chains at your feet remind us
that tyranny is broken by our will and actions.
The seven rays of your crown,
which represent the seven continents and seven seas,
show us that our choices reach beyond our national borders,
that we can lift up others
by becoming living examples of your power and grace.
Watch over, especially, our national election on November 3rd,
that it reflect the best of us,
as a country, as communities, and as a people.
Spread your protective robe across our land,
the polling sites and ballot boxes
that are the precious gems of our very way of life,
the election boards, the poll workers,
and each person adding their sacred voice by voting.
Let your Flame of Freedom burn especially bright this day,
and each day of early voting,
that every heart may be awake
to your guidance and inspiration.
Lady Liberty, lead us
into a future of unity, of healing, of hope,
as you have long stood helping us remember
that we have within us the power
to realize all the dreams you embody and inspire.
Hail, Goddess of Freedom.
Hail to the Enlightener of the World.
Hail and be with us, Lady Liberty.
- Katja Sage
Rev. Victoria led us through a beautiful meditation and envisioning process to spark and fuel our prayers. Along with our prayers, we did also share some songs together led by Mark Smith and Katja Sage:
