Obama offers spiritual vision for global peace

The words of the Holy Spirit came from the president's lips. My prayer is that we all listen

At last, a visionary leader to inspire the youth of the world. The text of the address is noteworthy in every respect. I am reminded of the 1960s when we had Pope John XXIII and President John F. Kennedy to inspire us to achieve a better world for all. We must pray that God gives President Obama a long life to affect the changed world he has outlined for us to achieve.

The Vatican apparently understands why Obama is the most important political leader in the world. Let's hope that the US Bishops at their meeting this month, pass a resolution commending him for his global leadership vision and courage to speak truth to adversaries on the critical issues that foster unrest and poverty throughout the world.

The President is a man of great spiritual depth with a spirituality that transcends separatism, sectarianism, and all the often petty divisions that keep humans apart and sometimes even lead to violence. It has been clear to millions all over the world for months now that he is a great soul who is trying primarily to heal human pettiness, a high spiritual goal. How pitiful that many American Cathilc religious officials have gone out of their way to oppose him, some even so far as to have suggested it was a mortal sin to have voted for him. History will recognize them for the spiritual pygmies they have shown themselves to be.

Today I gave thanks to God for the gift of President Obama’s leadership, courage and wisdom in extending respect, trust and a mutual commitment of working for peace to the Mideast peoples in the name of all United States citizens. His honest, insightful challenge to movement of all nations, beginning with the US, from the mistakes and sins of the past to the call of God to be a human community of peoples in right relationship both inspires and gives us renewed hope along with the responsibility to do whatever we can to contribute to a future that is all it can be.

Teresa Disch, OP

It is really great that the president of USA and not the Pope Benedict XVI had the vision to invite the world to be united by religions rather than be separated and fighting one an other by doctrines. I think it is a lesson for Pope Benedict XVI (and for Church Institution) who tought the difference beteween Islamism and Christianity with his unfortunate lecture at the Ratisbone University in 2006. Is it an irony?

Why can the Vatican praise President Obama's speech while the American hierarchs stuff their hands in their mouths, afraid of offending those to whom they cater? This president presents a case for Life, on all levels. What does the official font of the USCBB have to better that?

Looks like the Pope's recent visit went a long way to preparing the ground for peace with Islam. Thank you Pope Benedict! Rejoice in Pentecost! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

All Americans should be proud of our President; a man of courage and conviction. His courage was on display today in Cairo and recently at Notre Dame University. In both instances it would have been more expedient for him to have avoided these scenes. The cynics and the talking heads were forecasting that Predident Obama would be apologetic and in some way depreciate our Country's history and morality. They could not have been more wrong. The audiences in both of the aforementioned speeches listened attentively and were enthusiastic about what they heard. The world sorely needs thoughtful and sincere leaders. Now America has a leader worthy of the name. No bluff and swagger; no threats, no equivocation, no doubletalk! It's refreshing.

YES AND AMEN!!!

In 1 Kings 3:5-11 Solomon, newly established as king, has a dream in which God asks him what he would like to have from Him. Solomon replies to the effect of: Grant me wisdom and understanding a heart to govern this great people of Yours.

I discovered that passage nearly 20 years ago and have used it as a prayer for leaders at all levels, but especially at the national and international levels of both church and state. Today I have hope that God has placed a Solomon among us - and that God will also raise up other Solomons and we will find our way out of this mess globally. It will take a lot more praying, but I begin to see....

Obama's speech gives me hope! Humility, wisdom, love, courage, peace-seeking----how refreshing. The last 8 years about destroyed our world, let us have hope that CHANGE is possible. Amen to all that Obama said in his beautiful speech.

Amazing are the homiletical words of wisdom that can come from the mouth of a happily MARRIED man. Compare them with the lackluster language of many a dried up old celibate!

THANK GOD FOR WISE PEOPLE LIKE CRAIG B. McKEE IN HONG KONG! I especially like the contrast between ' a happily MARRIED man.' and 'a dried up old celibate.'

I was reading all of the Peoples views and I have concluded that they are being radicalized! Talking the talk is not walking the walk. I believe in the fact that we are all created to give to God the best of ourselves!

I am not so sure of Barack Housein Obama. I think that if his teleprompter gave out at a speech that he was giving, he would be off track because he does NOT believe in God. When Barack speak at the rally when he was opposing Hilary Clinton, in the presidential bid, He absolutely stated that HE would take his daughter to an abortionist, if she got pregnant. Since that speech I was firmly for Hillary Clinton! Then after he got the nomination as the Democratic front runner, I decided the John McCain would be the best choice.

I believe in God, Love, Life, Liberty, Hope, Change, and all the things that would make the world a better place to exist!

I believe in the fact that God made our Catholic Religion to be the best of the best! I can see the apples falling from the trees. God did not make the way the world is now! He created a world for humanity to be alive and to LOve our Brothers and Sisters and even those who wish us harm! Isn't it a wonder how they are making a mockery of our faith that we Catholics believe in the life that God gave to us! Isn't it terrible that the poor little girl in TX got murdered by then Governor GWB, after she had gotten the bible and learned about the word of God and asked GWB for mercy, and he condemned her to death, and all she had asked him for was to spend the rest of her life in prison, to teach all of the other prisioners, about the Bible, and she could have changed the world just like Pope John Paul II had done!

Isn't it amazing just how we learn what we already know is true!

I'm embarrassed US Bishops have been so cold and legalistic to our President, like the Pharisees were to Jesus ... Whatever... Our President has caused me to pray more. I pray for President Obama, that he seeks and leads us onto the good path. His very election has brought me to my knees in thanksgiving and supplication.