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Commentary: For gay-marriage justice, the arc is long

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Many of us had hoped that the Supreme Court would have decided to declare Proposition 8 unconstitutional Friday and resume marrying couples who deserve the right to be wed. Unfortunately, the stay has not been lifted. This news is disheartening, though not necessarily surprising. I hear the words of that Baptist preacher ringing in my head once again: “The moral arc of the universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” We find hope in Martin Luther King, Jr.’s prophetic wisdom and know that while injustice continues, ultimately, justice will prevail.

This past Sunday, Christians around the world invoked the tradition of lighting the first candle on their Advent wreaths. We recognize the darkness in our world, and truly this news casts a shadow of despair along our paths. But it just happens that the candle we lit this past Sunday is that of hope. There may be darkness among us, but that little light of hope is enough to give us strength for the journey.

The recent election has demonstrated that the American people, along with our president, support equal marriage. We have faith that, ultimately, California will be enlightened with news of equality, and soon enough the entire nation will as well. Until then, we shall continue to struggle together, to rely upon this hope and to support one another along the journey.

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THE REV. DR. SARAH HALVERSON is the pastor of Fairview Community Church in Costa Mesa.

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