Reflections on Memorial Day

It’s amazing to me just how much of life is spent on automatic pilot; walking about heedless of the people we are with, the needs and opportunities of the day, and reacting to situations on the basis of long held habits that require no reflection or personal investment. They are deemed appropriate simply because we have conformed to them for so long. They ‘feel’ right, whether they are or not.

As we approach Memorial Day, it occurs to me that we approach holidays in this manner. We readily remember the pleasurable aspect of these special days – the picnics, recreation time, ball games, and often spirits of one sort or another – but so easily forget the reason these days were consecrated – or set apart from other days – in the first place.

I suggest that we make an effort to be fully present this Memorial Day; to remember and hold in honor those who gave their lives in our defense. This is, after all, what Memorial Day is about: reflecting on the nature of freedom and its price, and offering blessings for those who have served in our defense. In my estimation, one of the gravest mistakes of the Viet Nam era was blaming the troops for a war many abhorred. They were not to blame for the war, but were treated as if they were when they came home. I suggest we remember the difference between the individuals who serve and the ends to which their commitment is employed. Most serve out of love of country and family, and serve nobly. They need our blessing, they need our thanks, and they need our renewed efforts to resolve the strife they are forced to engage in a peaceful manner. This Memorial Day I will give thanks for those who have gone before us in defense of freedom; and I will pray for the day when their services are no longer needed.

November 4, 2008: Memo to Our Next President

It’s now almost 2:00 pm on Election Day, and I feel a sense of limbo.  The frantic pace of campaign ads and news has ceased, Americans in record numbers are voting even as I peck away at my computer keyboard, and now there is nothing to do … but wait.  I have my favorite, of course, and I really want him to win.  But regardless of the outcome of the election, I have hopes and dreams for our country; challenges that will face our next president, whoever he may be.

 

I hope and dream of an America without polarization; that great divide that has separated our people for too long, paralyzing our efforts to offer equality, justice, and opportunity for all.  Please recognize, Mr. soon-to-be President, that ultimately it is not issues that suffer from partisan politics, religious and philosophical ideology, and dogmatic intransigence. Rather, it is people, a large swath of our society, who suffer needlessly while waiting on us to make decisions that will seal their fates.  The New Testament Gospel writer Matthew liked to refer to these unfortunates as the least of these.  We argue endlessly about the nature and extent of their rights, all the while missing the essential message of Jesus of Nazareth; to wit, don’t ask what they deserve, but only what they need.  Will you do this, Mr. soon-to-be President?

 

I hope and dream as well of a truly post-racial culture that not only recognizes but celebrates the strengths of diversity and variety.  Many await the outcome of this election in fear that should the wrong man win, there will be a violent outcry from extremist groups who cling to the notion of racial (sic) superiority.  Others fear that should the wrong man win, minorities will sense their place in our society diminished, with equally violent results.  I fear that we will continue to see our society through ethnically divisive eyes – black, white, brown, or other – creating chasms from the accidents of nature ; identifying with “my people,” and my people only; limiting the reach of reason and compassion to the circle of those who look, think, and act “like me.”  Mr. soon-to-be President, you will not represent an ethnic majority or minority when you swear the oath of office; rather, you will represent “we the people” in all its brilliant diversity. Will you represent all of us, Mr. soon-to-be President?

 

I have hopes and dreams for our country, and tomorrow will not be too soon to breathe life into them.  We will look to you, Mr. soon-to-be President, to lead us toward such dreams.  Will you?

Faith and Partisan Politics

I continue to be surprised and concerned by voices coming from all over – print media, emails, blogs, word of mouth… you name it! – insisting that any true Christian will vote for ________ (fill in the blank) in the upcoming election. 

 

If this election is a litmus test of faith I have only one thing to say; count me out!  The faith I know through Jesus the Christ has no litmus tests, and certainly not the arrogance and audacity to insist that only those who think like me are truly Christian.  We need to come to an understanding of what humility and cooperation mean. We need to come to an understanding of what an election means …and what it doesn’t mean. 

 

“We the people” will decide the upcoming election without divine intervention or endorsement.  Jim Wallace got it right when he affirmed that God is neither a Republican nor a Democrat.  To that I would add that God is certainly not in the business of “fixing” elections or holding doom and gloom over our heads should we fail to anoint God’s “chosen candidate.”  As I said, “We the people” will decide the upcoming election, and because of the wonderful freedom we enjoy – freedom that stems directly from our Christian faith and tradition – each of us will be able to vote our conscience without fear of reprisal or rejection.  I encourage you to vote your conscience and not to let anyone (including me) dictate what your conscience says.