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What
Makes This Country Great Gospel:Matthew
5:43-48 In a recent visit to Monticello, I discovered a most important cause of the power of democracy in the USA: personal relationships, both public and private. I saw graphic demonstration of the power of specific relationships in the bedrooms of Thomas Jefferson’s wonderful home. Let me tell you what I mean. Just some 25 miles from Monticello lived James Madison and his wife, Dolly. Their home at Montpelier is itself a beautiful plantation. Often the Madisons would get in their carriage and make their way up to the foot of Monticello, uninvited. The servant at the gate would ring a bell that could be heard all the way up to the mansion whenever a visitor would arrive. The staff would begin preparations to receive visitors. Then the visitor’s carriage would make its way up the winding drive, 45 minutes or more of twisting and turning on the carriage path. Whenever the Madisons arrived at the gate, however, after the bell was rung, a servant would set out on horseback up through the woods, blazing up to the mansion, and alert the staff and Thomas that the Madisons were coming for a visit. It seems whenever the Madisons visited it always meant more than a one-night stay. Sometimes a month of enjoying the breezes atop Monticello, strolling the gardens, drinking fine wines and enjoying Jefferson’s considerable hospitality. So frequent were James and Dolly’s visits that Jefferson made a guest room into their own private space. Now this is the amazing part- Dolly Madison was less than 5 feet tall, and James not much taller. So the bed Jefferson had built into a niche in their room looks like a doll’s bed, but wider. It’s just two rooms away from the downstairs room where Jefferson spent most of his nights, right near his desk, so he could get up and write. Can you imagine their surprise when the Madisons arrived for a visit and found their own bedroom, crafted just for them? Quite amazing hospitality, no? And quite a picture of the three of them together--a tall, strapping Jefferson and the two diminutive Madisons--the closest of friends. The correspondence between Jefferson and Madison helped make the fledgling democracy work. For all this it can seem a bit odd to be celebrating our country’s anniversary of independence in church, especially since the founding parents took such pains to ensure there would be no state religion. “In our BCP [Book of Common Prayer], July 4 is a major feast, reminding us that this is not simply a secular holiday, but primarily a religious one. It is also a peculiarly American holy day, as it has no precedent or reference to Europe or the Holy Land.” “Most Episcopalians don't know what happened in Christ Church Philadelphia on July 4, 1776. The rector, the Rev. Jacob Duche, proposed to the vestry a resolution stating that no longer would the King, nor his family, be prayed for in divine worship. The resolution passed unanimously, and then Duche took the church's prayer book and altered it with his quill pen, crossing out the name of King George, and writing in its place, "the people of these United States.” Not only was this an act of treason that led to Duche's arrest by the British, it was the beginning of the Episcopal Church in America. It was the nascent church in America's Declaration of Independence from the crown and the Bishop of London. It was Pentecost again, in a different place, yet a birth of a church nonetheless.” (From the Rev. Timothy B. Safford, 9th rector, Christ Church, Philadelphia) When I am recalled to my history as a citizen of the USA, and a baptized member of the Episcopal church, I realize my life’s unfolding could have been a series of random bends in the road, but for the relationships which have caused me to trust the influence of others, to change course, pursue new paths of adventure, and hold so close the freedoms we enjoy as a people. I’d like to offer a litany of thanks to those, seemingly unrelated, but critically important folks who’ve caused my faith and citizenship to be shaped the ways they have. Thanks to my mother, who taught me, among other things to say, ‘tress-passes’ rather than trespasses. And whose gentle spirit gave me hope. Thanks to my father who taught me the value of hard work. Thanks to Mr. Sanford Garner, who, while I was serving as acolyte at age 13 beside him at the altar, quietly suggested the correct pronunciation was ‘gree-vously’ not grevee-eeously, as in the old prayer book’s confession, where we said ‘We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, which we from time to time most grievously have committed…’ His life of gracious hospitality planted in me the crazy thought of becoming a priest. Thanks to Gerald Taylor, lead organizer for Shelby County Interfaith, who teaches, “Power is such a good thing, everyone should have some of it.” Thanks to Mahatma Gandhi who said, “The measure of a country's greatness should be based on how well it cares for its most vulnerable populations.” His witness steered me into my first real job in the public housing developments in Knoxville. He also offered us this mantra: “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Thanks to my brother Gordon and my colleague Lane Denson, who continue to teach me that deep, meaningful change is possible one day at a time. To my good friend Drew Henry, Presbyterian minister and former missionary in Argentina, who said, “Every time one of the people in Argentina hears a citizen of the USA say, “American this and America that,” they feel ignored and put down. They too are Americans. And they think South America is just as beautiful and important as you think North America is.” And finally, thanks to the Psalmist who said in today’s psalm, “The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and of great kindness. The Lord is loving to everyone and his compassion is over all this works.” I’d like to offer us all a chance to offer our personal litany of thanksgiving on this Independence Day. Please sit for moment in silence, summon up some of those folks who’ve shaped your faith and your citizenship, and then offer their names either silently or aloud. [Pause of silence.] What we’ve just done is powerful. It’s a witness to the gratitude we feel for those who’ve gone before us, leading us to become the people we are today. You may do this exercise whenever you feel like it. Simply recognize it when someone pops into your head, then say a brief prayer of blessing or thanksgiving. It works for everyone, even Saddam Hussein. Not only do we make stronger the web of relationships that link us, these little prayers make our hearts more open, they make us more hospitable people. And that’s finally what makes us who we are as citizens and as followers of Jesus--we have vowed to give hospitality to everyone God puts in our path. Generosity of spirit and open hospitality to all, especially the most vulnerable, are the hallmarks of our Church and our nation. Let’s practice hospitality with humility and in the power of God - it’s really what makes this country great. Copyright 2004 Calvary Episcopal Church Gospel:
Matthew
5:43-48 |
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