ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½

A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with the Reverend Doctor Stephen Wigley.

Good morning.

The Statue of Liberty is a striking landmark over-looking New York Harbour and one of the most iconic images of America. The classical figure is inspired by Roman goddess of Liberty, who is standing on a broken chain to symbolize both freedom and the end of slavery. It was intended as a gift to the United States from the people of France, and although it took a little while to raise the money for its creation, it finally arrived in New York Harbour, in some 350 pieces packed into 200 crates, on this day in 1885 before being put together, erected and then formally opened the following year in October 1886.

The Statue also overlooks Ellis Island, the Immigration station where between 1892 and 1924 over 12 million immigrants, mainly from Europe, got their first sight of New York and entered the United States.
Many of these immigrants were fleeing persecution and pogroms in Europe; others were looking for the opportunity to build a new life where they would be free to follow their own faith and conscience. So in time, the Statue became famous also for the sonnet ‘Colossus’ written by Emma Lazarus (herself a Sephardic Jew whose family emigrated to America from Portugal) which was subsequently inscribed on it; ‘Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free... send these the homeless tempest-tost to me.’ It’s a powerful reminder of that calling of America to be a beacon of hope for all those seeking a fresh start and freedom from persecution. And, at a time there is so much talk of walls and restrictions, that the greatness of the American dream is not just about restoring a glorious past but being open to a new and living future.

Merciful God, you show us in Jesus how your strength is revealed in weakness and your power in love; help us to value those dreams of freedom which draw people together into the life of your Kingdom.

Amen.