This brief sentence is from Shakespeare’s play, The Tempest, and is inscribed upon the Robert Aitken statue in front of the National Archives in Washington, D.C., the home of the original document signed on this date in 1776, The Declaration of Independence. If it is true that the past is prologue to the present and the future, i.e., that which has happened in the past sets us up for future success toward goals envisioned “way back when,” then I think we have great hope for our nation today on her birthday. At least, it is my prayer that our country will embrace the vision of the founders which the Declaration highlights as we read it.
Have you noticed the Declaration begins with these words: “The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another…” I believe these introductory words flag concepts that were critical in the birth of a nation, and which are critical in the health of the nation today, namely, the words “unanimous” and “united.” These words are not capitalized in the Declaration. Instead, they are assumed to carry their own weight as concepts of common resolve toward the goal of democracy vs. tyranny. That is, those folks back then shared common ground upon which they stood shoulder to shoulder. Did they always agree with one another? No, that is impossible. But, in their diverse thinking and expression they found a way to stand together. Let’s pray that the past is sure enough prologue for our nation, that we too will look for ways to stand together!
Have you noticed, too, that after a lengthy and well-argued “declaration of the causes that impelled them to separation,” the Declaration ends with these words: “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” And there it is again, a reason for hope in our land today. If the past is prologue, then there is hope for us today to “mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor (with firm reliance on God’s protection).” The founders recognized that the common ground upon which they stood, and upon which we are to stand these 247 years later, is one of mutual pledge to one another. They considered it a sacred honor to be neighbors, compatriots. May God help us yet again to embrace the possibility of common ground and work toward it. After all, as Thomas Jefferson so eloquently put it in the Declaration, “all men are created equal” – which is a call to respect one another, a respect that was born in the creation of every person “in the image of God.”
Yes, if “what is past is prologue” then there is hope for us today in these United States!
The Lord’s Table – Freedom from Sin!
This coming Sunday, July 9, we will observe the Lord’s Supper as we worship together. Gathered at the Lord’s table, we remember the Scripture’s declaration: “To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and has made us to be a kingdom of priests to serve his God and Father – to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen (Rev. 1:5-6) At the table we confess our sin, and we give thanks to God for setting us free by his grace! The story was recounted in The Christian Century (2005) of the 18th century King Frederick II of Prussia who once visited a prison in Berlin. One inmate after another protested being in prison claiming, to a person, to be innocent, imprisoned unjustly. There was only one man who sat in the corner of his cell and offered no word of protest with a claim of innocence. The king stopped and asked him why he was in prison. “Armed robbery,” said the inmate. “Are you guilty?” asked the king. “Yes sir, I am most certainly guilty of my crime.” The king purportedly stopped his entourage and issued an order saying, “Release this guilty man. I don’t want him in here corrupting all these innocent people!”
On the cross, Jesus was counted among the guilty, though we are the ones whose sin declares that we are sure enough the guilty standing before the King of Kings. And yet, Jesus’ death on the cross has set us free. And so, we celebrate around the table together!
In the Love of Jesus,
Tony Tench
PS This Sunday, July 9, will also be the time for our Regular Church Conference in the Sanctuary at 6:00 PM.