St. Luke's Episcopal Church
Cleveland, Tennessee

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
1 July 2007
Luke 9:51-62

This Gospel lesson is a very rich text. There is a lot here to study and think about. As I was thinking what I would say to you today, I began to make notes about the Samaritans, and Mount Gerizim and the Assyrians, and how all these things came to be, and why Samaritans didn’t like Galileans to go through their territory on their way to Jerusalem. But as I was thinking about that kind of standard sermon, what really kept coming to my mind was the fact that Independence Day is on the horizon. Every time I would think about this passage and its historical context, my heart was really thinking about Independence Day. Over the years I have learned, whatever is on your heart and keeps coming to your mind, is probably what you ought to preach about. So, I do want to say a few words today about Independence Day which is just a few days away. You may or may not know that the Episcopal Church does recognize Independence Day as a Feast Day. If you will look in the calendar in the Book of Common Prayer, you will see that Independence Day is listed among the Feast Days. Why would that be? Because, when we stop and think about it, Independence Day is full of theological significance. We give thanks to God for the freedoms that we enjoy in this country. We thank God for giving us the opportunity to serve him and his children in a free country. So, Independence Day is recognized as a Feast in the Episcopal Church for those theological reasons.

The national hymns that we are singing today are in the hymnal. Isn’t it wonderful to hear them sung in the context of worship? So often we hear these hymns sung in the context of a secular, cultural event. But, to hear them sung in worship is very powerful - - a very emotional experience. Looking ahead to Independence Day, we sing these national hymns which remind us of the tradition of giving thanks to God for the liberties that we enjoy.

After the Creed today, Gary will lead us in a special set of prayers for the nation. This is a Litany of Thanksgiving for the Nation and for the freedoms that we enjoy. Today, we are reminded that, with the freedoms we celebrate, comes responsibility. There is great responsibility placed upon us as free people in this blessed nation. As we enjoy the gifts of freedom, we are to share those gifts. We are to open the door so that others may come to know and appreciate the freedoms that we enjoy. And, we are challenged, at this time of year, to continue to work for a just society - - a society where everyone is understood to be equal in the eyes of God and of all people. So, today, as we celebrate the freedom that we enjoy, we are reminded of the theological responsibility to be good stewards of these gifts that we enjoy in this free nation.

After the Litany of Thanksgiving, there is one more prayer. It is a Prayer of Thanksgiving for Heroic Service. As we approach Independence Day, it is a day to remember all those who, in one way or another, have served their country, and have offered up themselves - - some of whom have given the ultimate sacrifice, to do their part to help preserve the freedoms that we enjoy. In June, Debbie and I had a chance to go see her parents. I never say anything to her parents about this. I love her parents dearly. They are so very, very gracious to me. They treat me as if I were one of their own children. Mr. Williams has a picture of his brother, Milton, who was shot down in the South Pacific in World War II. I never had the chance to meet this man. Debbie never had the chance to meet this uncle. But every time I am down there in their home, without saying anything to Mr. and Mrs. Williams, I spend some time in front of that picture; and I say a prayer for his soul, and I say a prayer of thanksgiving for his bravery and his courage. Every one of you has a similar story. We all have people in our families, people who are friends of our families, who have offered themselves in the service of this country to help preserve our freedom. It is not just a cliché, it is absolutely true - - freedom is not free. So, today as we pray the Prayer for Heroic Service, giving thanks to those who have been so brave in the service to their county, may we be truly grateful for all of those who in any way have helped make the freedoms we enjoy possible.

I want to close with a very brief story. Throughout my ordained ministry, I have, off and on, gone up to Sewanee in the summer for some classes. I call it ‘going to summer school’. Ever so often, I go to summer school. Over the years I have come to understand that learning is important. The classes are good and helpful. If they weren’t, I would not go. But, the primary learning that I get from these summer sessions is meeting the people who are there. We have clergy that come to the summer school at Sewanee from all over the world. Many come from Africa, many from Central and South America, the Caribbean. A lot of these clergy live and serve in places that are not safe for Christians. I have gotten to know some clergy over these years in summer school for whom life is genuinely dangerous, because they dare to acknowledge Jesus as their Lord.