On this day...

In 1980, John Lennon was murdered outside his home in Manhattan. Lennon was the leader of the Beatles, who unquestionably reign as the most significant musical artists of the twentieth century. Lennon's voice remains one of the most searingly honest and powerfully raw musical instruments ever recorded, and his songs remain among the greatest ever written. His example as an unbearably honest artist and as an activist for peace continue to inspire people all over the world.

Like millions of others, my life was changed by the life and especially the music of John Lennon. So much of my "embedded theology" comes from his music and the imperfect but exceedingly genuine way he lived his life. So, as the world remembers those dark events of twenty-six years ago, I thank God for John Lennon.

"You say you want a revolution,
Well, you know we all want to change the world.
You tell me that it’s evolution,
Well, you know we all want to change the world.
But when you talk about destruction,
Don’t you know that you can count me out?
Don’t you know it’s going to be alright?
You say you got a real solution,
Well, you know we’d all love to see the plan.
You ask me for a contribution,
Well, you know we’re all doing what we can.
But if you want money for people with minds that hate,
All I can tell you is, brother, you'll have to wait.
Don’t you know it’s going to be alright?
You say you’ll change the Constitution,
Well, you know we all want to change your head.
You tell me it’s the institution,
Well, you know you'd better free your mind instead.
But if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao,
You ain’t gonna make it with anyone anyhow.
Don’t you know it’s going to be alright?"

(Lennon/McCartney, 1968)