On the Nation’s Memorial Day, we also celebrate Trinity Sunday. As we honor those who have served and still serve our nation and the cause of freedom, we give thanks and glory to God, the source and foundation of creation, all human life, and thus all society and freedom.
The first reading today from the Book of Proverbs is basically another ‘creation account.’ The ‘voice’ of Proverbs is nothing less than the Wisdom of God, the Holy Spirit. (No wonder we believe that all of Sacred Scripture is inspired by God.) The reader is reminded that before all creation, God ‘Is”. Thus, all creation owes its existence to this Wisdom of God.
How else could all creation come into being and continue in being with such order and harmony? Everything that exists is in harmony with everything else, and with God. All creation exists for the glory of God. God created and sustains all life, and all life is ‘ordered’ to give praise to God for such wisdom and goodness.
Why else does the sun rise and set, along with the moon and the stars? Why else do the birds sing? Why else do the trees and all on earth obey the law of life written in the genetic code? Who but such Divine Wisdom could bring the universe into existence and hold it in such marvelous harmony?
“O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!” (Psalm 8: 2)
The culmination of all these wonders is the human person, “for God has given the human person rule over the works of His hands, putting all things under his feet.” (Psalm 8: 6-7)
As all of creation follows the order of life, living in harmony with God and all other elements of creation, so too the human person. If the human person finds its proper ‘order’ in relation to God, then also all of society and every land and nation. Just as God has ordered all things to Himself, most especially the human person is created for existence in communion with God.
If God has created us for communion with Himself, then surely He has created us in a way to receive His communication. Indeed, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came into the world to speak to us of the nature and desire of God. He came proclaiming God’s love; the love that created and through Christ redeemed all life. Christ being One with the Father, then sent the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth who continues to lead us to ‘all truth.’ (John 16:12-15)
Since all of life finds its origin and purpose in God, and this is especially true of the human person, how much more so then for the community of persons that make up family and families society, and society nations? This being so, to be ‘properly ordered’ every person, every family, every society, every nation is then to pay attention to the law God has written in our hearts, the law inscribed in His Sacred Word, the law written in the Blood of His Son.
God’s ways are clearly intended for harmony and peace. We have nothing to fear, and everything to gain in turning, or as the case may be ‘re-turning’ to God. Our peace and harmony as individuals and as a nation is rooted in a faithful relationship with God.
How refreshing it was to hear in the news this week that teachers huddling over their students (in school) prior to and during the tornadoes were praying to God. Talk about the need for prayer in our schools…
We cannot earnestly say or sing “God bless America” only in time of need. Granted, we do not ‘earn’ such blessing and protection, but it is dis-ingenuous to call upon God only in times of tragedy, while ignoring Him, indeed, lawfully excluding Him, in the other affairs of the nation.
As we honor our military men and women this memorial day weekend, let us call to mind the Creator of this great nation as well. Let us pray not only for those who fight for our freedom, but pray that our nation and all peoples may recognize the God who is the source of true Freedom. May the freedom of the human spirit continue to ring throughout this land, and may this ‘song’ of freedom always give glory to its true source, God.
I’ll close with the prayer of George Washington on his inauguration day:
Prayer for the United States of America
“Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large.
And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
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