Dear Friends in Christ,
Memorial Day – and, therefore, Summer – are upon us!
Once upon a time, these two phenomena – a civic holiday and a season of nature – were distinct. But, now, they’re intertwined.
Once Memorial Day was moved in 1968 from its specific historic date, May 30th, to the last Monday in May, a deal of sorts was sealed. Memorial Day became part of a long, three day-weekend and a gateway to the summer vacationing season. But, when this happened, something was lost.
What was lost? Citizen focus on the cost to some for fulfilling that to which we all have pledged our allegiance before our nation’s flag, namely “liberty and justice for all.” Sometimes upholding this pledge has cost citizens – and non-citizens alike – their lives in warfare.
As if this weren’t tragic enough, there’s even more that’s been lost to history regarding Memorial Day: a second piece regarding the original purpose of this day beyond remembrance of veterans killed: reconciliation between the families of those killed – in both the North and the South.
Now, couldn’t we use a good dose of this Memorial Day spirit today, one which causes us to remember that this day was conceived as a way of bringing together former enemies still speaking angrily and distastefully about one another? Only this time around, it wouldn’t be the old “Blue and Gray.” Instead, it would be today’s “red and blue.”
Blessings of Peace – with Liberty and Justice for All,
Pastor Ed