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DiggAn Interactive Sermon for Independence Day Weekend
Share your questions – now and during the sermon – in our comments sections below. Make sure to tell us where you are from! Questions which are not addressed during the sermon will be the subject of Fr. Bozzuti-Jones' blog, The Fullness, during the week of July 6.
This passage from Mark and the Declaration of Independence speaks of wisdom and the choices we make. Do you have questions that link our spiritual lives with our political or national life?
-- The Rev. Mark Bozzuti-Jones
The Declaration of Independence (excerpt)
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume, among the Powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
Mark 6:1-13
Jesus left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, "Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, "Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house." And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.
Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them." So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Comments
The passage from the Declaration of Independence makes me wonder, yet again, about the phrase "God and Country." We heard that, or a variation on that, a lot in the presidential election. I believe separation of church and state, but as a person of faith, how do I reconcile my love for my country with my love for God, when those two seem to be at odds? For example, as a Christian, I think killing is wrong. As an American, I believe that some wars, such as WWI and II, are justified. And so I feel that my faith and my patriotism are in conflict, there.
Sarah (from Austin, TX) on July 4, 2009
These are both strong statements of independence. There is such hope and idealism in the Declaration, it's exhilarating. And the Gospel doesn't sugar-coat independence -- it shows clearly that it can be hard and lonely. What do you think these two passages have to say to young people who are just beginning to try out independence. What can they learn from both of these?
Taryn, from Maine on July 4, 2009
Dear Sarah and Taryn of God, Your thoughts and questions are powerful and wise on their own merit. We all should live with these without trying to answer them quickly. However, a thought or two: Being a Christian does require paying full attention to the conflicting demands of life. If at the heart of faith and patriotism is a desire (strong desire) to do what is best, then I think we can fully celebrate faith and patriotism. If doing good and serving God is the goal then... To young people, all people really, independence and freedom do require sacrifice, responsible actions, and a commitment to take up the cross...
mb-j on July 4, 2009
I've always liked the phrase from the Declaration -- "a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation." It then goes on to clearly state the causes. But when I read scripture, and particularly some of the things attributed to Jesus, I often find the language to be less than direct or clear. Is this a matter of language being different, interpretation, or was it intentional? Why isn't Jesus more direct? (or perhaps he is and I don't see it?) Why doesn't he state his purpose clearly and thoughtfully the way the founding fathers did in the Declaration?
Tim, California on July 4, 2009
It interests me that the phrase "a decent respect for the opinions of mankind....impels them to separation." When we look at our church in our time it appears that the opinions of some are antithetical enough to impel us to separation. We look at the issues of sexuality, liturgy, biblical interpretation, etc. and then, also, the effect of Jesus' not having power in his own hometown. What are our "hometowns" as we wander through the labrinth of issues? Why do we not have the power to overcome some of the separations that are happening to us in the church?
Anthony C. Thurston on July 4, 2009
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