Today is the day before the nation goes to celebrate it's highest feast, the day upon which independence was gained from the nation of England and a new country was established. Citizens from sea to shining sea will gather with friends and family in remembrance of the red, white, and blue. Differences set aside, Christians will gather with Unitarians, Republicans with Democrats, Gays with Straights, Poor with Rich, etc. for the sole purpose of dedicating a day to commemorate the achievements and goals of the United Sates of America.

I wrote some last year on the day but I can't seem to locate the post. I may have deleted as a result of all the negative feedback I received. Of course, many people felt the tone to be too radical but some comments were out of line. A prominent SBC blogger (HUGE readership) even told me to "grow the f*ck up" or some other such nonsense (he said it was the first time he had used the word in a very long time)

Well, I have not changed my position but have even strengthened it. I believe and think (quite strongly) that the "healthy" patriotism of former times (if there ever was even such a thing) has been replaced by blatant idolatry and heresy not only by average citizens but by the American church herself. The occasion serves as a cheap platform for reinforcing the current administrations neo-con political agenda and labels all who are not in support of certain issues, especially the Iraq War, as being Anti-American and Un-Patriotic.

If voicing the opinion that something is very wrong here and maybe we ought to re-consider out policies as a nation makes one Anti-American, then let it be seen as a compliment and recieved proudly by those who are living by the Way of God, revealed in and though Christ Jesus, Savior of the World.

We are called to be the new community of the Spirit in the world and as a result of such a calling we live by a different ethic than the average "citizen." We live to exalt the crucified God/Man, risen into glory, and sitting at the right hand of the Father. When we go to the ancient ritual of the Mass we do not adore the red, white, and blue but the living presence our Lover. We live as the hands and feet of our Father and his mission is that we may have life, and life to the fullest.

As a result of our peculiar state of being, we do not celebrate the holiday as a typical "American" would. We pray for the Nation we find ourselves in with prayers of lament and sorrow. We pray that God may spare them and that through us honoring our Rule of Life, the Nation may be spared destruction for it's wickedness.

So, on this day, before the masses march forwards with trumpets and flags, let us, the Body of Christ, be the witness in the world God destined us to be. Let us pick up our crosses and sing our hymns of a beautifuly scandalous redemption and know that God, through Christ, has already counted us among the righteous.