When we declared ourselves a free and independent Nation in 1776, it took several weeks for messages to get across the Atlantic and even from one part of the country to another. Now, instantaneously, we learn what is going on in the world. We no longer stand alone, shielded from the rest of the world. Even before the age of instant news, we had already moved into other parts, flexing our muscle and establishing control.
Behaving as an imperial power, we went into the Philippines, Cuba, Puerto Rico and parts of Central America, establishing hegemony, mostly to protect business interests. In many ways, corporations, now multinational, still dictate much of our actions in the world. Joining themselves to ideology, they have managed to continue ruling the roost.
It’s a far cry from where we were in 1776, when we were a small fledgling country, just trying to establish independence and maintain it into the next century. It’s not like we were good and pure back then, but as we consider where we are going, it behooves us to look at where we’ve been.
Prayer for the Day
Unfolding God, who comes to us in this anniversary year,
Remove the film of intolerance from our eyes;
Redeeming God, who comes to us in the silence of the night,
Open our senses to the world all around;
Seal your truth into the center of our bodies,
Shape us and mold us into your vessels.
In the name of the One who shows us how to live,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
George Santayana, Spanish philosopher (1863-1952)
We have forgotten that democracy must live as it thinks and thinks as it lives.
Agnes Meyer, writer, journalist, social worker ((1887-1970)
I will open my mouth in a parable, I will utter dark sayings from of ole,
Things that we have heard and known, that our ancestors have told us.
We will not hide them from their children, we will tell to the coming generation,
The glorious deeds f the Lord and the wonders God has done.
Psalm 78: 2-4