THE GREATNESS OF AMERICA

Just last night, I disagreed with a member of one of our of our congregations. It might make more sense to say that he disagreed with me, but that doesn’t materially change what happened. I had spoken out about something, and he wanted to remind me that there are lots of people who feel differently about that thing and neither of us changed our minds.

Here’s what did happen, though, and I raise it because I wish it happened more: we had a reasoned and reasonable conversation. I was deeply grateful for the opportunity, because it takes real courage to say, “Bishop, I’d like to talk to you,” and to speak from your heart about something that matters to you. I wish more folks would speak so openly. If you know me, you know that I do my best to speak clearly and directly from the center of my Christian values.

This morning, as I turned my head and heart to thinking about the 250th birthday of this nation, I realized that last night I had seen a glimpse of what makes America such an incredible place. This nation was formed on the (at the time) radical idea that people of different backgrounds, ideologies, and faiths can live together, building lives side by side and raising their families in the values they wish to impart. For centuries, this land has held the promise of new life, opportunity, and prosperity. For two hundred fifty years, we have lifted up the twin beacons of liberty and justice before the world. Those values didn’t just appear to the colonists struggling under an oppressive foreign rule; they were forged out of belief in God and in the principles of democracy, ideas far from mutually exclusive.

This anniversary of our freedom from tyranny comes at an interesting and challenging time. It is grand to have the opportunity to pause and give thanks for the values upon which our nation was founded, values which match well with the values of our faith: inclusion, love for neighbors, striving for excellence (vocation), and justice for all. I hope we will all take some time this weekend to be thankful for the freedom we enjoy as Americans and as Lutheran Christians.

I also hope we will commit to creating unity where we can, and conversation whenever possible. The promise of America is not that we will be a homogenous nation in which we have “all things in common.” We need Jesus for that kind of unity. The promise of America is that we can live together without agreeing on all things, and we can show one another mutual respect. What better way to celebrate this nation than to commit to living into that promise.