Fireworks

It is an experience to celebrate the nation's independence in our nation's capital. Amid thundershowers and crowds that even a jaded Californian found oppressive I stood with my daughter and several of her young friends and watched the fiery explosions explode over the Washington Memorial. The symbolism was ambivalent - at least for me.

I have visited Washington many times and my internal cynic is usually silenced by the meta-narrative of this experiment in democracy that surrounds one when in Washington. But not so this time. Fireworks over the monuments of democracy seemed to me reminders that this nation is at war and many families - mine included - have their sons and daughters in the midst of fireworks that kill and maim. In addition, I was acutely aware that the ideals of liberty and the rights of the people to disagree with one's governemnt are being challenged by this same war. We have often traded our liberties for 'safety' or at least the illusion of safety.

On Sunday I visited a church in Washington - the rare treat to sit in a pew and worship with my family! I was moved to tears at several points even though the liturgy and sermon were only mediocre. I wondered at my reaction. Then I realized the nexus of my despair and Paul's letter to the Galatians:

Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest-time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith. Gal. 7:7-10

That was my answer; God has not been mocked nor God's vision for us lost. Do not grow weary, Paul writes. In spite of explosions both near and far away, there is hope in Paul's command that we bear one another's burdens. That is the foundation of all our dreams.