17th Sunday after Pentecost

Though many one… (Romans 12:5)

I should acknowledge that mortality continues to have its way with me. For the last few weeks I haven’t been able to walk without help. Medical folks are doing their good work. MRI reveals spinal problems. We pray for good results.

Meanwhile, with the assistance of a loving and caring wife of 56 years, I’ve been able to make it from the bed to the couch where I watch too much football and too much news. Yesterday, along with our daughter and granddaughter who also care for us, we watched the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to serve as the ninth judge on the Supreme Court. While watching we discussed some of the tumultuous events of the week—the demonstrations, the contention and violence, this nasty business of politics. We had our opinions. In the middle of it all, one is nominated to take her place on the Supreme Court to serve as guardian and interpreter of our founding document--the Constitution that holds our diverse and often frayed nation together.

What is this center that unites our 50 states—that make us a nation called the United States of America? What’s the center that holds such a diverse people together? On the battle field of Gettysburg, Abraham Lincoln said it best: “Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal… We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live.”

“Liberty” and “Equality” that’s our nation’s center for which citizens “gave their lives.” It’s the Unum that holds our Pluribus together: E Pluribus Unum. Our founders liked Latin. It means “Out of many one.” Will the center hold? Can such a nation live on?