A DAY TO REMEMBER

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Poignant words found in John 15:13 spoken by the one who understood personal sacrifice for others like no one else ever had nor ever will.

Across America many different scenes are unfolding at this very moment. On the one hand, families and individuals are gathering supplies, preparing grills and looking forward to a day of fun and activities. They will enjoy the freedom gained and protected by the blood, sweat and tears of those fallen in defense of this nation.  On the other hand, there are millions who are gathering flowers, pouring over photos and feeling a very personal sting of loss of a loved one, especially those who are just days, weeks or months from the tragic moment of loss.

Working and living part-time in Washington D.C. offers me a unique experience and framework for this special day. As I headed to the airport on my way home to Florida a couple of days ago there were already many people on the National Mall starting the Memorial Day preparations. I saw a group of ROTC in uniform standing around a flag being instructed by their leader, and just a few yards away, a family preparing to have a picnic. There were groups of veterans on motorcycles beginning their weekend-long rides through the city. I saw Marine One flying off in the distance headed somewhere and watched with special appreciation as we passed by the WW2 Memorial, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial and the Jefferson Memorial. Crossing the Potomac headed to Reagan National, I could easily see the Pentagon and off in the distance, Arlington Cemetery. I felt a mix of emotions as I prayed for this nation and for those who have died defending it.

Deuteronomy 6:12 begins with these though-provoking words: “be careful that you do not forget…” solemn words of caution. On this day our nation pauses to remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. “Greater love” calls for greater remembrance. For mothers who wipe a tear, grandparents whose hearts are troubled, grieving wives, children, friends and fellow soldiers of those who are now gone, we pray for your comfort: “The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you, The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace”. And for those whose lives were laid down for the freedoms we celebrate this day, we pray: “Lord, receive into Your care those who in dedication to this nation have expressed greater love by laying down their lives. Amen.” Blessed are You o Lord our God, who brings peace to a humble heart, now grant Your peace to all cities and nations of this world and especially to Jerusalem. Amen.

WHY MEXICAN FLAGS?

The right to protest is as fundamental as any of our rights as Americans, so the protests at the Trump rallies are an example of why we are a great nation. But who are these people? Why are they so bent on turning these protests into violence? Why are they waving Mexican flags?

Don’t get me wrong; I recognize that America is an immigrant nation. I believe that fact has not only has made us uniquely special among the nations of the world, it has helped us remain the greatest example of democracy in the world. And, the last I checked, Lady Liberty is still standing in New York Harbor, lifting a torch of freedom and beckoning to the world: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” Breathe free. What a gift that truly is. Freedom does not make me free of responsibility for my fellow man. Actually, it is quite the opposite; freedom calls upon us, each and every one, to rise above personal interests and to act in the best interests of the needs and liberty of others. That is the essence of American freedom.

Also, I should say that I have a deep affection for Hispanic people. I speak their language and I love their culture. My family and I lived in both Costa Rica and Ecuador and I have visited most Hispanic nations. Our huge Hispanic population strengthens and blesses our nation; their contribution to America is enormous and without dispute.

But frankly, I don’t see passion for the good of their fellow man in these protests. I don’t see love for America and respect for others. What I do see is self-interested thuggery and blatant disregard for the very core of our values.

Also, I find it curious that while exercising one of the most precious rights granted by the U.S. Constitution they wave Mexican flags. If it is Mexico they care about, then go back and change that nation. If they want to become Americans, then we welcome them with open arms, but not with these behaviors of violence.

ONLY SOME LIVES MATTER…SAY WHAT?

 The riots in Ferguson, Missouri, began as a result of the fatal shooting of Michael Brown by white police officer Darren Wilson on August 9, 2014. The nation watched as the rage and violence grew. While the violent destruction of their own neighborhoods seemed senseless to many of us, the depth of the frustration with feeling targeted by law enforcement within African American communities across the nation became more obvious than ever. The unrest in Ferguson sparked a vigorous and needed debate across the United States about the relationship between law enforcement officers and African Americans in particular. Also, the militarization of police tactics and equipment and its effects on how situations are handled became central to the debate.

While the specific issues in the Michael Brown killing, the events that led up to it and the response to the riots that followed, all deserve careful examination, there seems to be little progress toward meaningful solutions. Case in point, it is widely thought the “Black Lives Matter” campaign has sparked reprisal killings of first responders. The targeted killing of police officers and other first responders has risen by 43% in 2016 alone. Many believe this rise is directly related to the way Ferguson has been reported by the media and handled by the current Administration.

In response, municipalities and states are looking for ways to stop the targeting of law enforcement officers. In addition to many new community outreach programs into As a result, police officers, firefighters and other first responders in Louisiana may now become members of a “protected class”. Under the Louisiana “House Bill 953” (referred to as “The Blue Lives Matter Bill), which passed both chambers of the Louisiana state legislature, receiving final approval in the state Senate on Tuesday of this week, targeting first responder is classified a “Hate Crime”.

I am personally grieved at the thought of any class of people being targeted with hate and violence. There is no justification for that in America. Yet, this seemingly earnest attempt to give further protection to those who protect us with their own lives was met with withering criticism by those who purport to care about a class of people being unfairly targeted. I was stunned to see a report on the most popular evening network newscast tonight, where one of the leading organizers of the Black Lives Matter Movement stated: “If everybody is a protected class, then really, no one is a protected class.” What? Isn’t the ultimate goal that there would be absolute equal treatment under the law for everyone? Why wouldn’t people who think “Black Lives Matter” (as I personally do) also think that “Blue Lives Matter”?

Wow. We really do have a long way to go in dealing with hatred in America. A song comes to mind from my early days in Sunday School: “Red and yellow black and white, they are precious in His sight”. Yes, they are. Red and yellow, black and white—wearing blue in service to us all, are precious in His sight. And mine as well.

AN IDEOLOGY OF HATRED

So here we are again, attempting to understand the disappearance of another airplane filled with men, women and children going about their lives. As is always necessary at this point, everyone must now wait until a thorough process of investigation helps us understand why EGYPTAIR MS804 crashed into the Mediterranean on a routine flight. This was not a warplane, but given the location of the crash, country of origin of the flight, and the backdrop of so many terrorist attacks of late, we cannot rule out terrorism. In fact, a terrorist attack is very likely to be the cause. I easily remember a time when terrorism would be at the bottom of the list of a thorough investigation, not the first thought that comes to mind.

How did we get to the point that this kind of tragedy takes us to thoughts of terror and fear rather than compassion and mourning? Simply stated, it is because of what is now becoming abundantly clear, war has been declared against all who do not embrace radical Islam, including their fellow Muslims. An ideology of hatred gives justification to its adherers to randomly kill innocent victims.

Acrimony of this nature is nothing new to mankind; world history is filled with an unending stream of animosity toward others. While greed, fear, religion, pride, misunderstanding, revenge and many other motives are mixed into this toxic brew, the main ingredient is always hatred. Left to simmer, unchecked malice becomes the foundation of an ideology of hatred. 

Ideology is a system of shared beliefs within a group such as a language group, political body, nation or region, social class, race or religious body. Ideology influences the way individuals think, act and view the world around them, especially affecting the way they see those who present a perceived threat to their lives. It is far more convenient to assign blame to someone else for our discomforts or fears than to look deeply into the mirror.

The warning here is straightforward, contempt for others is dangerous. Not only does hatred lead to horrible acts, it destroys the very fabric of civil societies and justifies evil. The biblical call to “love your enemies” is no walk in the park. “Doing good” to those who abuse us requires a level of spirituality that is very difficult to reach, but reach it we must or we too, will be condemned by an ideology of hatred. 

THE LOSS OF HONOR

Attending a High School graduation a few years ago was an eye opener. Before it began there was a strong plea for honoring the dignity of the event and keeping order during the ceremony. I thought it sounded draconian, even ridiculous, until the event started and I saw what followed. Simply stated, it became loud, rude, out of control, open mayhem. The next couple of hours went from what I considered fairly normal, to bad, to worse, then to far worse than I could have imagined.

After the seemingly overdone announcement regarding the dignity of the event, things went pretty much as one might imagine. Students and faculty marched into the great auditorium in their caps and gowns to the pomp and Circumstance of “The Graduation March” a tune I knew and expected. Composed by Sir Edward Elgar but named for a verse in Othello, March No. 1 in D minor, has become a clarion call to dignity and honor in one of the most significant moments of life. And, so it was that day.

During the march, there were a few hollers from the crowd that seemed tame enough. A few of the students took advantage of this unique opportunity to act out a bit, but this too is normal and all in good fun of course. After that, there were a few speeches and of course, the special academic honors. But trouble was already brewing. It was not so much the graduates, it was the families and friends.

As the diplomas were passed out, the crowd completely ignored the earlier instructions to remain quiet and became increasingly boisterous. The parents, friends and families of the graduates dishonored the dignity of the event and created an environment of competition rather than collective celebration. I felt so bad for the graduates who had little family or friends present. I also felt bad for the students that had worked very hard and had taken this process seriously, only to see it devolve into chaotic pandemonium.

I suppose the last couple of decades of helicopter parenting, Political Correctness nannying from ever-intrusive national, state and local government and forced honoring such as “Participation Trophies” has caught up with us. The issue of honor is in a very fragile condition in modern culture. Synonyms for honor such as: “respect, give value, cherish” help us see the problem, people who constantly demand these things for themselves are ill-equipped to offer it to others. Honor is more a principle than a code. Honor is not a rule; it is a culture. The societal breakdown of respect for others we see in our present-day culture is rooted in selfishness and a lack of honor for God and His ways.

In my view, demanding honor rather than earning it is harmful to individuals and to our collective character as a nation. Forced honor is worthless.

Perhaps I am just a spoilsport, but I feel like I lost something that graduation day. Frankly, we all did, especially those who never even noticed something was amiss.