Rabbi Howard A. Berman
February 15th, 2004
Arlington Street Church Boston , Massachusetts

When I was a student in Rabbinical Seminary, taking courses in homiletics - the art and science of preaching – I was taught, as are divinity students of all denominations, that holiday celebrations and major current events are the most effective inspirations for sermon themes. When a holiday or historical commemoration comes at a time of particularly pressing contemporary issues, a preacher has an abundance of possibilities to work with – and a particular challenge in tying all of the elements together. Well, according to that standard, this weekend is a jackpot – the Mother of all Pulpit Possibilities – as an incredible confluence of symbolic observances and current events come together ! We gather here this morning, the day after Valentine’s Day… the day before the official commemorations of the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, and –most significant of all – our first time together following a week of epic drama that continues to unfold in one of the great moments of American history. Now any one of these themes in and of themselves could provide meaningful point of reflection... all of them converging together, as they do this week, might appear to call for a particular choice of focus … but it seems to me that all of these issues are essentially tied together in their ultimate meaning and message – and I want to try to reflect on their commonalities.

The events of the past week, of course, certainly dominate all of our consciousness at this time. The eyes of the world were turned toward Beacon Hill, with the culmination of years of hope, yearning and tireless work in the struggle for the fundamental civil right of marriage for same-sex couples. All of the complex issues of the debate came to the fore in this week of intense political intrigue, rallies and demonstrations. We witnessed both eloquent and impassioned testimony as well as vicious bigotry and ignorance… heartfelt pleas for justice and equality and sadly, equally heartfelt expressions of prejudice and hate. I have to say that while a human face has finally been put on the gay marriage issue for many people, who were able to see the diversity of our community of support, and the families and children whose rights and security are at stake, the demonstrations outside of the State House also revealed the horrifying face of bigotry. It has been one thing dealing with the relentless opposition of bishops, right wing lobbyists and ignorant talk-show callers… but quite another to see children carrying signs reflecting the narrow-mindedness and prejudice of their parents. The smug, self-righteous sense of entitlement of so many who want to ban gay marriage – their arrogant claims to Divine truth and authority – their debasement and manipulation of the democratic process has indeed been appalling. The opposition of so many African American church leaders has been particularly disheartening . Their refusal to see the links of the shared struggle for civil rights has been profoundly disturbing and politically debilitating… and we are all the more grateful for the courage and clarity of those black legislators, and African American clergy of many denominations, who forcefully argued against discrimination – grounding their support for equality in their own personal experience of racism.

Inspired by the legacy of the continuing struggle and landmark victories for civil rights in the past, we may well echo, at this critical crossroads, the question posed by Martin Luther King Jr., in one of his most famous speeches, entitled “ Where Do We Go From Here ?” Now I must admit that when I chose this title for today’s sermon a couple of weeks ago, I was working on the assumption that there would have been by today, a clear resolution of the issue . I assumed that today’s Service, four days after the anticipated Constitutional Convention, would either be one of Celebration or Consolation. I don’t think that any of us ever anticipated that instead, the struggle would continue – and the outcome would be so illusive. But because the struggle will continue, and would have, whatever the ultimate decision on the Amendment, the question of what we still must do as we face the challenges ahead, is as compelling as ever…

And here is where some remarkably clear guidance and direction are offered to us in the holidays and commemorations we observe this week: each of whose themes are so very striking in their relevance, that the coincidence and timing is virtually Providential!

Yesterday was, of course Valentine’s Day… tomorrow , America will observe President’s Day – celebrating Washington’s and Lincoln’s birthdays… both are perfect bookends, if you will, to frame our reflections this morning !

Valentine’s Day is a powerful reminder of what this struggle is ultimately all about – the beauty and joy of loving, committed relationships. Long before Gay and Lesbian couples ever began to even dream of the seemingly remote possibility of legal marriage, we had already staked our claim to Valentine’s Day – as a symbolic way to proclaim our love for each other as co-equal with any other romantic relationship. The first Gay or Lesbian couple to have ever furtively sent Valentines to each other - and I have a feeling it would have been two women who might have first done this – were unwittingly making a radically political – and prophetic – statement. It is significant that the Freedom to Marry movement early on chose Valentine’s Day as the occasion for its annual affirmation of commitment to the cause. Indeed, it was 7 years ago yesterday, that a handful of local clergy – of which I am proud to have been one - first gathered here at Arlington Street Church for a Prayer Breakfast that led to the founding of the Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry This has become an annual event that, this past week, drew a large and diverse crowd of ministers, rabbis and other religious leaders, with major press and media coverage – demonstrating the support of the progressive faith community for same sex marriage as a mandate both of civil rights and religious freedom. Last night, the broader political Freedom to Marry community held it’s fifth annual “Love Is In The Air” gala benefit – which attracted hundreds of supporters and raised record-breaking funds for the cause. Valentine’s Day has indeed emerged as the High Holy Day of the Same-Sex Marriage Movement – and it reminds us that beyond the political machinations – and above the bigotry and hate that surround the issue – this struggle is ultimately a celebration of the most powerful force in the universe… LOVE !

But of course- it is also about politics … and history… and the meaning of American democracy and its highest ideals of liberty and justice for all. The major issue at hand is, indeed, the meaning and integrity of the Constitution – both of Massachusetts and of the United States. And here is where the legacies of our two greatest Presidents are of particular inspiration. Of course we know that the history of this nation has been a continuing evolutionary progression toward its noblest vision and values – and that this journey has been a difficult and all too slow one – still far from fulfillment. And yet, we still celebrate the pioneering efforts that proclaimed life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as the inherent natural rights of all people. The lives of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln represent two symbolic milestones on the continuum of our history - of the beginnings of the American dream with the Revolution, and the challenges of its unfulfilled promise, symbolized by the Civil War. All of the debates that are taking place, both at the Massachusetts State House and the nation’s Capitol, are being played out under the watchful eyes of portraits of both of these iconic figures – and both of their legacies are inevitably evoked by both sides. Early on, the Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry embraced, as its motto, the words of George Washington, which have been included in our Order of Service this morning. In his famous letter to the Jewish Congregation of Newport, Rhode Island, following his visit to their Synagogue in 1790, during his campaign to win the state’s support for the new National Constitution, our first President powerfully proclaimed a vision for this nation that is incredibly relevant for this particular moment in history. At a time when Jews in every other country on earth were completely without any basic civil rights, and, in most places violently persecuted, the leader of this new nation expressed truly revolutionary and prophetic words:

“The citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to humankind examples of enlarged and liberal policy: a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship. It is now no longer that ‘toleration’ is spoken of – as if it was, by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights. For happily, the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution, no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should conduct themselves as good citizens – in giving it, on all occasions, their effectual support…”

Could there be any more decisive challenge to our state and national lawmakers – or to George Bush and Mitt Romney – at this moment in history? Or could there be any greater inspiration for all of US, as the struggle now continues, than the immortal words of Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address – spoken at another crisis of moral conflict that bitterly divided this nation:

“What constitutes the bulwark of our own liberty and independence? It is not our frowning battlements, our bristling seacoasts, our army and navy. Our reliance is in our love for liberty: our defense is in the spirit which prizes liberty as the heritage of all people everywhere. Destroy this spirit, and we have planted the seeds of despotism at our own doors. Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves, and cannot long retain it… Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith, let us to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it… With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in: to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and all nations !”

And so, friends, the struggle continues…. And while the path ahead may well be long and difficult, I hope and pray that we all believe in our hearts that in the end, the best and noblest ideals of this nation will prevail…

Where do we go from here?

We will continue our tireless efforts – to win the minds and hearts of the people of Massachusetts and America, for justice and equality…. We must continue to challenge our families and friends – our co-workers and neighbors, to commit themselves to the struggle, and to make their voices of support heard…. We must hold our legislators and representatives, entrusted with the guardianship of our rights and liberties, accountable to their oaths to protect and defend the Constitution….

And at this great historic moment of decision, let us all find inspiration and guidance in the confluence of ideals and symbols we celebrate this weekend:

Expressing our love and commitment in our relationships – and our pride in our love – not only with flowers and candy on Valentines Day, but every day…

Demanding that this State and this Nation give to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance…

And out of this time of struggle, to strive on to finish the work we are in… to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace… among ourselves, and with all nations !

Amen.