502 Your love is in heaven and your truth so perfect. I live in sorrow imprisoned
Day 502 Saturday July 31st. 2021
Your love is in heaven and your truth so perfect.
I live in sorrow imprisoned;
Today's reflection is a poem by the last queen of Hawai'i, Queen Liliʻuokalani
She wrote it from her imprisonment as her nation was being stripped from her by wealthy merchants backed by federal troops. It reflects her great sadness and her great faith.
The Queens Prayer -
Your love is in heaven and your truth so perfect.
I live in sorrow imprisoned;
you are my light, your glory my support.
Behold not with malevolence the sins of humankind,
but forgive and cleanse.
And so, Lord, beneath your wings
be our peace forever more.
Amen
Sung in Hawaiian (so beautiful)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43lny0g84i8
Liliʻuokalani ascended to the throne on January 29, 1891, nine days after her brother's death. During her reign, she attempted to draft a new constitution that would restore the power of the monarchy and the voting rights of the economically disenfranchised. Threatened by her attempts to abrogate the Bayonet Constitution, pro-American elements in Hawaiʻi overthrew the monarchy on January 17, 1893. The overthrow was bolstered by the landing of US Marines under John L. Stevens to protect American interests, which rendered the monarchy unable to protect itself.
The coup d'état established the Republic of Hawaiʻi, but the ultimate goal was the annexation of the islands to the United States, which was temporarily blocked by President Grover Cleveland. After an unsuccessful uprising to restore the monarchy, the oligarchical government placed the former queen under house arrest at the ʻIolani Palace. On January 24, 1895, Liliʻuokalani was forced to abdicate the Hawaiian throne, officially ending the deposed monarchy. Attempts were made to restore the monarchy and oppose annexation, but with the outbreak of the Spanish–American War, the United States annexed Hawaiʻi. Living out the remainder of her later life as a private citizen, Liliʻuokalani died at her residence in Honolulu on November 11, 1917.
Reminder:
Journey of the Universe Conversations led by Steve Lyman continues:
Monday, August 2nd.
from 2pm to 4pm
Location: Bob and Nancy's house.
2404 Marylyn Cir
Petaluma, CA 94954-1810
Email or Call Nancy with any questions:
(707) 280-4705
Announcement Last week we heard a refreshing and challenging lecture in the "Women Erased" series presented by Future Church. The presentation featured Rev. Dr. Wil Gafney's, a brilliant and courageous theologian. Her masterful, imaginative, and comprehensive approach to Scripture is a gift to us. Her presentation and her work focuses on bringing into focus the women's stories from scripture. We hear their voices through her work.
Here is a link to the ZOOM presentation:
https://youtu.be/zEtyc7JQZH4
Other resources:
Rev. Gafney spoke about a book she uses regularly on women in the Bible.
Women in Scripture: A Dictionary of Named and Unnamed Women in the Hebrew Bible, the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books, and the New Testament
Womanist Midrash: A Reintroduction To The Women Of The Torah And The Throne
Daughters of Miriam: Women Prophets in Ancient Israel
Here's a link to her website where you can find all her writings and blogs.
