A Song of Peace, ELW 887
Devotion
The text for today's hymn cannot be published due to copyright limitations. We apologize for the inconvenience.
This hymn is set to the melody "Finlandia" by Jean Sebelius. It is one of my favorite pieces of music. Simple, moving and poignant, it supports and amplifies these words in ways that touch my soul. I grew up in a different country—called Minnesota—and moved to Petaluma, Calif., almost 40 years ago. So this has been my adopted home for a long time; I have loved living here and can't imagine moving back to the Midwest. Yet there are so many people "back home," including my mother, who couldn't imagine living anywhere else. When I visit I can appreciate the beauty of the lakes and prairies, the big yards and the summer greenness. I don't have to put them down or think of California as superior. It's not a competition. It is simply the love of home.
I love this hymn because it celebrates that love of home. As Americans we all too often feel we are superior to others, that our country holds a higher place in the family of nations, and that therefore we should be given more power, authority and respect. In this political year this attitude certainly plays out at times in ways that are ugly and disturbing. It might be helpful to start every political rally with this hymn—to soften the rhetoric and discounting of those of other places. Let the words and music melt the hardness of our hearts and remove language that would distort the sovereignty and love of God equally for all people.
Prayer
O God of all the nations, give us your vision of your creation and open our hearts and souls to include all people, all races, all countries in the embrace of our love and your gracious generosity. Amen.