U2

from Ben's mom



Monday night we celebrated our 2nd anniversary--two and a half months late. The timing worked out better than the actual date when MJR was studying for the WA Bar.

We had a leisurely dinner at Fado where Simon Hewson (cousin to Paul Hewson is General Manager.

Then we proceeded to Key Arena, found an overpriced parking garage, and enjoyed an evening of U2. As always, they gave an excellent show with a little less flash than usual but great music and hard work. Bono was the activist/showman urging the audience to have faith in science and faith in God, adding, "We need our scientists to have faith in God." Then urging the audience to work to abolish poverty and disease in Africa, he encouraged the audience to text message on their cell phones, showing their willingness to help the cause. The place lit up like a Christmas tree. A screen scrolled part of the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights which partially reads: "All people have the right to life and liberty...." Obviously the U.N. has a different definition of "all people" or they would stand against the travesties of abortion and euthanasia.

I particularly enjoyed hearing the entire arena singing "Gloria" which, of course, is a song of praise to the Lord. The lyrics go like this:

Gloria

I try to sing this song
I, I try to stand up
But I can't find my feet.
I, I try to speak up
But only in you I'm complete.

Gloria
In te domine
Gloria
Exultate
Gloria
Gloria
Oh, Lord, loosen my lips.

I try to sing this song
I, I try to get in
But I can't find the door
The door is open
You're standing there, you let me in.

Gloria
In te domine
Gloria
Exultate
Oh, Lord, if I had anything, anything at all
I'd give it to you.

Gloria
In te domine
Gloria
Gloria

I would have liked to have heard "40" which is Psalm 40. The band ended their performance with it the night before but they alternate sets during a tour. It is always amazing to hear a secular audience sing praises to God (the Christian one). And hearing a crowd of that size sing praises (even unknowingly) gives me a foretaste of what heaven will be like.

I don't always agree with Bono but I have to respect that he isn't just talk. Whatever cause he supports with his lips, he is supporting with his effort and his money. He gives 100% to what he believes in and no one controls his agenda.

The band gave two encore sets, doing what they said is never done: singing the same song a second time because they wanted to give us a little more. They played for nearly 2 1/2 hours without a break. No backup players, singers, or dancers. Just four guys who've known each other since high school and have played together since their late teens. You can criticize them for many things but the ability to stay together that long (25+ years) in the world of rock/pop stardom takes some humility and commitment to valuing the other members in a world that emphasizes "me first." That's better than most churches.