Friday's thoughts
The problem with flag waving is that it can deteriorate into fanaticism. Patriotism can become fanaticism. The issue with freedom is that the desire to be free can become the motivation to do as we wish. Fanaticism is born out of a need to be thankful for the freedom we have as citizens of our country, but it absolves us of the responsibility of working to make our nation greater. Fanaticism assumes we have arrived at a state of perfection and forgets that our democracy is evolving.
Communion is an important event almost any time in the year, but especially important in July. Communion is an invitation to come to the table and to receive the bread and the cup and to experience the presence of Christ in our lives. It is a time to think about our obligations and responsibilities and to put things in perspective. It is a time to think about our country and what it stands for and how it lives out its values. It is a time to reflect upon what it means to be a Christian patriot; how to be loyal to our nation and faithful to the Gospel.
The flag will be in the sanctuary Sunday. It will be visible and it will remind us the difference between patriotism and fanaticism.
How do we work through that tension between citizenship and Christian discipleship? What helps direct our thinking and what brings us into a balance?
If you have some thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to allow others to see your ideas click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
