Texts: 2 Kings 5:1-14; Psalm 30; Galatians 6:7-16; Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
On this day, we celebrate the declaration of our nation’s independence from the rule of the King of Great Britain. This declaration took place 234 years ago, but it continues to have great significance for our lives and for many around the world.
We are proud – rightly so – of the bravery and resolve of our forebears in declaring this freedom from tyranny, and also in their willingness to risk everything to turn that declaration into a reality.
We are proud also of the role that our Episcopal Church played in the founding of this nation. The history of our Episcopal Church cannot be separated from the history of our nation’s founding. Just across the river in Philadelphia, the founding events of our nation and our church took place in the later years of the 18th century.
Of course, the first place we have to look for these connections is Christ Church in Old City, Philadelphia, about 5 miles as the crow flies from where we worship here today. How many of you have taken a tour of Christ Church?
Do you know that Benjamin Franklin, Betsy Ross and their families attended Christ Church? Did you know that George Washington and John Adams, when they lived in Philadelphia as the nation’s President, both attended Christ Church and worshipped by using the Book of Common Prayer?
Once the Continental Congress moved to New York in 1785, they elected a new Chaplain who was Samuel Provoost, the rector of Trinity Episcopal Church now on Wall Street. Provoost also presided over the prayers for the inauguration of General Washington as first President of the United States.
This inter-connected history continues even to this day. Most major national celebrations take place today within our National Cathedral in Washington. We built this in fulfillment of our vision to serve as the nation’s church. It has always been the vision of the Episcopal Church.
The Episcopal Church as we know it today was created at the first General Convention which met at Christ Church, Philadelphia in 1785. That Convention authorized a new Prayer Book, and the Preface of that book is included in our Prayer Book today. Let’s turn to it and read 2 key paragraphs together:
(Paragraphs 5&6 of the Preface to the first Book of Common Prayer in these United States ,Philadelphia, PA, October 1789)
“But when in the course of Divine Providence, these American States became independent with respect to civil government, their ecclesiastical independence was necessarily included; and the different religious denominations of Christians in these States were left at full and equal liberty to model and organize their respective Churches, and forms of worship, and discipline, in such manner as they might judge most convenient for their future prosperity; consistently with the constitution and laws of their country.
The attention of this Church was in the first place drawn to those alterations in the Liturgy which became necessary in the prayers for our Civil Rulers, in consequence of the Revolution. And the principal care herein was to make them conformable to what ought to be the proper end of all such prayers, namely, that "Rulers may have grace, wisdom, and understanding to execute justice, and to maintain truth;" and that the people "may lead quiet and peaceable lives, in all godliness and honesty."
All of these truths cause us to be very proud: proud of our American heritage, and proud of our church’s key role in the formation of this nation. We have a reason to be proud; we have a right to celebrate today.
But there is a difficulty for us as Christians in displaying this pride. What is it that St. Paul wrote to the Galatians, which we heard read in our midst here today?
“May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything!” (Galatians 6:14-15).
What does it mean to boast in nothing except our Lord Jesus Christ? What does that mean for nationalism, for patriotic pride?
Let me briefly suggest that patriotism and pride in our human institutions are natural and normal. These are not to be rejected, because love of country is an important part of that love of neighbor which God longs to see within us. But this love for country must always be held in tension with our deeper identity as Christians, with our first love for our Lord.
When we finally go the way of all flesh and are joined with our ancestors, it will not matter then whether our nationality is American or French or Kenyan or Brazilian. Those labels belong only to this fleeting world; they represent temporary arrangements among human beings.
But this Church of Jesus Christ to which we belong, within which we worship and learn and grow, this is a distinctive community of human beings which outlasts any empire or confederation or nation.
When we here stand up and declare our faith in the words of the Nicene Creed, we are in fact declaring our truest and deepest allegiance. This never-failing Church of Christ has no flag toward which we face; instead we face the cross. And there it is that we turn when we pledge our allegiance, this Cross of our Lord, by which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world.
In our Gospel reading today, we are reminded of our mission as the Church: to go forth and cure the sick and bring the message of the kingdom of God to all people.
This kingdom includes people of every race, language, people and nation. It is God’s kingdom, and it is the only one which is worthy of our deepest loyalty.
So, go out and celebrate this Independence Day. Celebrate with pride in this wonderful nation. But remember to keep proper perspective. As you celebrate, remember your calling as a laborer in the kingdom of God, and “rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20).
Let us pray (Collect for Independence Day from the Book of Common Prayer):
Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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