By Rev. Glenn JonesOur Sacred Honor
Everyone be safe this holiday, especially with the fireworks. We’ve already had one major fire near us this year (Cajete); that’s more than enough! Watch those campfires, too!
As we celebrate Independence Day this week, it’s a time for reflection and thanksgiving. This year, of course, we have a new president—some say for good, some say for ill. But that which all should give thanks for concerning such a change is the peaceful transfer of power and governing—a method of government and transition arguably spearheaded in large measure by this nation, and which has become a model for not only the states, but also for governments around the world. No coup d’état, no open general rebellion, but rather the most powerful nation in the world also has undergone yet once again one of the most peaceful and orderly transfers of governance.
We need only look at the many other nations in the world who remain under the iron fist of dictators or which are in effective anarchy in order to appreciate this fact. Of course this nation is not perfect, and many complain about this or that discrimination here, unfairness there … but all in all, there is no other nation on earth quite like ours. NO society or group of people has (or ever will) attained perfection; for one thing, everyone has different ideas of what perfection would be!
However, in these days of Internet news and in our highly-politicized atmosphere, many seem to have lost the understanding that real improvement in ANY sphere can only come through truth and reasonability in the discussion of issues—which necessarily means that things don’t always go the way that an individual may desire. Patience is always necessary, especially because there will always be those who are impatient and confrontational. And so … to scripture we fly once more for wisdom, and read from Proverbs: “A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.” (15:18). Or maybe: “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man quietly holds it back.” (29:11) And concerning truth and reasonability, we read from the letter of James: “…do not boast and be false to the truth … But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity.” (3:14-17) And, of course, for we Christians: “[Jesus said] ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.’” (John 14:6) … and so when we depart from truth, we depart from Christ.
How then can we assist and improve our society and nation? By being active in the social arena to affect society for the good (a duty for the Christian), but most of all in striving always to live more virtuously ourselves and giving good example … seeking to model ourselves after the perfect example: Jesus Christ.
As we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence this week, I always am humbled at its ending: “…with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.” If they pledged so much to one another, how can the Christian pledge less to the God?
And so Judeo-Christians remember today the words of Moses to Israel: “Behold, I have taught you statutes and ordinances, as the LORD my God commanded me … Keep them and do them; for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, `Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, whenever we call upon him?” (Deuteronomy 4:5-7) Have a blessed (and safe!) holiday!