Dear Friends
We all know about the Bill of Rights, the original
10 amendments to the Constitution. On this national holiday, I want to share the
Bill of Obligations, a book published last year outlining the Ten Habits
of Good Citizens. It was written by former diplomat Richard Haass, who served
in the George Bush administration as a special envoy to Northern Ireland. (He
became an Independent in January of 2020. Hmmm..... I wonder what happened that
month that caused his change of heart!)
The Ten Habits are:
Be Informed
Get Involved
Stay Open to Compromise
Remain Civil
Reject Violence
Value Norms
Promote the Common Good
Respect Government Service
Support the Teaching of Civics
Put Country First
I will be sharing this list in my sermon on Sunday, with
the reminder that we have someone above country we put first. But as we
love this country for so many reasons, we must be thankful not just for our rights,
but also be mindful of our obligations to help heal its current divisions.
(See picture above of flag being sewn back together on the cover of the book).
As I am writing this, I am listening to the
congregation singing “America the Beautiful” at the annual National Cathedral 4th
of July concert. It includes that phrase, “God mend thine every flaw.”
May God help us be menders, not dividers, as some of our leaders are prone to be.
Happy 4th of July.
John
P.S. Had to include these three cartoons from yesterday, today and tomorrow!
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