Weekly Word from the Interim Pastor

    More and more in this country we have ambivalence about July 4, “Independence Day.”  What began simply as a celebration to mark the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 sometimes has morphed into a somewhat self-congratulatory patriotism, too often with a dismaying thread or two of dividing “real Americans” from others, especially those of other skin tones and languages than the once-upon-a-time white Anglo-Saxon majority.  Ironically, that perspective often overlooks or denigrates the original populations displaced by European colonists.  At least around here there is more appreciation for the other heritages which participate in and enrich our society.

    And, as we move from the 20th into the 21st century, we are also appreciating how we are all part of a global whole.  Not only are there fundamental similarities across all peoples around the world, but we are financially and economically linked to other nations.  Notice how credit concerns in China affect our stock market.  And, for several decades, the environmental connections have been clearer and clearer, so it is not merely the human population of the whole wide world we are connected with, but every creature and every micro-environment and climate change.  Where once a person may have traveled only ten or twenty miles from home, we now realize we are interwoven with everything.  We are one internet click from everywhere.

    So, I like to remember that while we may be politically independent from Great Britain now (and, yes, that is worth a party and picnics and pyrotechnics!), we know we are interdependent with the whole world, figuratively and actually.

    That is also the perspective of the Church, that we are all connected with each other because of our relationship to Jesus Christ.  We are all related through, as Paul writes often, our “big brother” Jesus.  Another way: we are all enlivened and inspired by the same Holy Spirit, no matter our politics or citizenship.  Remember how “catholic” means “universal?”  If you are not into theology, remember the old song, “We are one in the Spirit.”  We are all connected, religiously and practically.

    Take a moment this holiday also to celebrate that we are all interdependent on God and each other and the world.  Remember that other great motto of the early United States, “E pluribus Unum,” out of many, one.  It’s a good way to forge a nation.  It’s really good theology, too!

    Happy interdependence day!

                                                            In Christ,
                                                                  
                                                                           David

Texts for Sunday

From the Epistles         Galatians 6:7-16
From the Gospels         Luke 10:1-10, 16-20