A Powerful Voice
Seldom are these articles used to wax about national public figures, but I have been poignantly touched by the recent death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and a great many in our country have been impacted by her passing as well. She was a powerful voice and force for justice and equality under the law. Thanks to her life’s work many have benefitted in real and practical ways as a result.
Within 24 hours from the time she last drew the breath of life, some were saying, “May she rest in power.” Upon first hearing that phrase, I was a bit confused and thought they must have been mistaken. Now I understand. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” Supreme Court Justice Ginsburg was a powerful, persistent presence in the movement of justice. Our current generations are the beneficiaries of her amazing commitments and vision. She knew that change does happen, but it can take a long time. Here’s what she said about not being part of a majority decision,
“I’m dejected, but only momentarily, when I can’t get the fifth vote for something I think is very important. But then you go on to the next challenge and you give it your all. You know that these important issues are not going to go away. They are going to come back again and again. There’ll be another time, another day.”
For those of us who are trying to help God bring about God’s Realm on earth (“Thy will be done on earth…”) – her encouragement is extremely helpful. A common Biblical passage from our joint traditions is found in the Hebrew scriptures in Micah 6:8 and it has long been an important part of my inner guiding faith compass.
“He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?”
I am profoundly grateful for all she has done to help people discover and live into more equal relationships and ways of being in the world. It’s unlikely I will ever know most of what she actually did day in and day out, but I hope her reach and impact will go on for generations to come. My two daughters, as well as countless other women, have had a broader path because of her legacy.
While I am deeply grateful for RBG’s contributions - I am deeply troubled by what’s going on in the aftermath of her passing. Partisan power grabs before her memory is even honored speaks volumes to the divisions we have in our country. I would hope we could be united in our healing and united during this time of pandemic in our caring, compassion and fighting to overcome it together. But sadly, for too many, ideological commitments seem to supersede basic decency and an understanding of our common humanity. I pray that before Justice Ginsburg’s memory is lost in the wake of the latest news cycles her influence as a decision maker, law shaper and amazing human person will wash over us with a renewed commitment to God’s justice and equality – for we are ALL God’s children and we are ALL in this life together.
For now and for the future…
Rev. Dr. David D. Young
Senior Minister