Over three decades ago, a friend visiting from Sweden taught me a valuable lesson on the deeper dimensions of politics, human history, and national identity.

As a part of his visit to the USA, I spent a day showing him major points of interest in Washington D.C. We ascended the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on a beautiful morning, not crowded by the usual swarms of tourists. In the calm and beauty of the setting, we each began to read silently the words of Lincoln’s second inaugural address engraved upon the wall: “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 __.”

As I read Lincoln’s words I found myself seized by their power in a completely unexpected intensity. I looked over at my Swedish friend and could immediately see that he was even more transfixed by the moment. We stood there and talked of the terrible period in history in which Lincoln spoke; of the preceding years of savage conflict claiming over half a million lives, tearing this nation asunder; and of the transcending, enduring power of Lincoln’s words of mutual forgiveness and steadfast love.

Continue »