A few weeks ago, I was getting ready to go out of town and decided that I wanted to take a necktie. And then I thought, “Heck! When was the last time I actually wore a necktie?” You see, on Sundays – the main tie-wearing day for a lot of pastors – I always wear a clerical collar. And the rest of the time, I usually just wear a button-down shirt with no tie. I could wear a tie to the office, but things in our office are a little less formal than some offices.
So, I opened a little-used drawer and went in search of a tie and came across this historical archive of ties that I used to wear. Hidden away among these ties was a tie that I had forgotten – a real historic artifact from the year I was born. . .
You see, I am a “Bicentennial Baby” – born in 1976, when the United States of America was celebrating its 200th Birthday. And, at some point during that Bicentennial year, my father got a tie. . . a tie that is now in my possession. The tie is blue and has small American flags on it, along with the years “1776” and “1976.” And. . . even though I usually wear a clerical collar to church, this coming Sunday, I’m-a-gonna’ proudly wear my 50-year-old tie!
I know that the tie might not be entirely in-fashion at the moment. . . it is cut a little bit wider than most 21st Century ties. But also, there might be those who feel that certain forms of patriotism might not be entirely agreed-upon and in-fashion by every American. I have seen my fair share of red, white, and blue apparel on display over the past week or so – from a fun shirt worn by my wife’s Aunt Linda to an American flag bathing suit worn by a man who was wheeling out his trash can to the street.
I don’t believe that there is anything wrong with showing some patriotic spirit. It is a free country, after all. . .
But, depending upon who you ask right now, patriotism is having a complicated moment. . .
I know – and love – plenty of people who have an “America: Love it or Leave it” attitude when it comes to patriotism. These are people who deeply love their country and don’t want anyone to point out any faults. And I know – and love – plenty of people who feel like, as the writer Sarah Vowell once put it, “partly-cloudy patriots.” These are people who do deeply love their country while acknowledging some of the hard realities our complex history and just-as-complex present moment.
I don’t know which camp you might find yourself in as we celebrate our nation’s 250th Birthday. I do believe, though, that patriotism – the love of one’s country (be that love with or without complications) – is not owned by particular people or parties and it should lead us to live in ways that, in the spirit of our Founders, lead us toward “a more perfect union.”
As faithful Presbyterians, we know that no person, institution, or government will ever be perfect. The reality of sin is all-too-real! At the same time, we believe in the Doctrine of Sanctification – in which the Holy Spirit is at work on us, in us, and through us, sanctifying (or, making Holy) that which is decidedly unholy (from our own human hearts and minds and human spirits to the common spirit shared as people who live together in a beautiful but yet-to-be-perfect nation).
In other words, God is not through with us yet – as individuals or as a nation.
This Sunday, we will be singing “American the Beautiful” as our closing hymn. I love this song! It’s my all-time-favorite song about this nation that I love. I love that it captures both the beauty and the imperfections of our land. Spacious skies and amber waves of grain? Purple mountain majesties? Yes! I’m here for it! But I also love that there is no other national song that is boldly humble enough to ask God to “mend [our] every flaw.” We would be wise to express our patriotism (and our entire way of living) with this kind of bold humility and openness to God’s guidance and even correction. In the end, if we are honest about who we are and who God is, we belong to God more than we belong to our nation. We might truly love both God and country and our country. Our country – by the sheer providence or just plain luck of our birth – might have provided us with the freedoms and opportunities we enjoy, thanks be to God. We can love our country for this, but only God truly loves us back in ways that are life-giving and deeply powerful.
So, this Sunday, you are free to wear some red, white, and blue to church. I know I will. But I will also come to church with the deep and abiding hope that God is still at work, binding us together in a more-perfect union as the Body of Christ. May we, through the blessed tie of faith, hope, and love, witness to the goodness of the kingdom of God in our nation and every nation.
Grace and Peace,
John
Prepare for Worship
This Sunday: “The Self-Evident Kingdom” (Foundations of Presbyterian Polity – Part 3)
Read Colossians 1:15-20, 24-29
Read Mark 1:14-15 and 3:1-6
Read or sing Hymn # 354 – “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory”
Read some of “The Political Thoughts of Colonial Pastors” – some of which became part of the thinking of the Founding Fathers of our nation.
Attachments area
Preview YouTube video The Battle Hymn of the RepublicPreview YouTube video The Battle Hymn of the Republic