“When I recite the pledge of allegiance,” the guy on the radio said, “I always leave off the last line. ‘With liberty and justice for all.’ Are you kidding me? In America?”
I suspect Flag Day (June 14) is going to be celebrated even less than usual this year. Many have no interest, many have no awareness, many probably think a flag out front is a good way to get your house or office assaulted by someone infected with the aggressive anti-America mood.
For years, the knock on patriotic holidays involved our national anthem. “It’s too hard to sing,” people say. “So much violence, all those ‘bombs bursting in air.’” But ‘m not sure a national anthem shouldn’t reference battle. Lots of countries have “spacious skies” and “purple mountain majesties.” Not every country believes in freedom enough to fight for it, whatever the cost. Not every nation is willing to make the sacrifice.
The blessings of liberty are hard to secure – and even harder to hold onto. Maybe liberty’s theme song should be a little hard to sing.
And require some courage to stand for.
At any rate, ‘til football season gets here, the anthem takes a back seat to a surging antipathy toward the flag and “the republic, for which it stands.” That antipathy is spurring a variety of expressions.
Some indulge themselves with protests against … well, things everybody already knows are wrong. (Not seeing a lot of signs for “Bring back racism!” or “Up with bigotry!”)
Some prefer burning down businesses, or shooting the occasional unarmed person. Most of us would say that stealing and murder are wrong – but this summer the Ten Commandments are being edited down to one: “Thou shalt not disagree with unreasonably angry people.”
And some, meanwhile, are proud just to say parts of the pledge, while muting the lines they deem untrue. In truth, that doesn’t leave much pledge left to say.
“I pledge allegiance …” Uh-uh. That’d mean loyalty to something larger than myself.
“… to the flag of the United States of America …” Nope. It’s a banner o’ bigotry.
“… and to the republic for which it stands …” Wasn’t that republic put together by a bunch of "privileged" white guys, dabbling in politics between trips to the slave auction? Include me out!
“… one nation …” Seriously? Last time we were this “one” they were shooting up Fort Sumpter.
“… under God …” Don’t even go there.
“… indivisible …” Mighty hard to be more divisible than we are right now.
“… with liberty and justice for all.” Look around. How can I possibly be free when some people disagree with me? And do you see any justice?
The accusation seems to be that the flag is a lie, snapping in the breeze like goose-stepping boots on hard pavement. To pledge is to legitimize the lie.
In fact, the flag is but a symbol, and the pledge an urging – not to embrace a cruel illusion, but to rise to an enduring challenge.
My "pledge," then, is to work for these things – to take personal responsibility for making this noble vision of a republic a reality. To strive for unity, by offering respect even to those with whose ideas I disagree. To embrace the humility that comes with knowing God is bigger than any one country, or people. Or race.
To seek out and celebrate the “indivisibles” that bring us together – our love for freedom, our hopes for our children, our commitment to peace.
To look at “liberty … for all” with the understanding of a man who lived long before America did. “‘I have the right to do anything,’” the Apostle Paul said, “but not everything is beneficial … not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.”
(What do you know? All lives matter.)
“You, brothers, have been called to liberty,” Paul said, “only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another … if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!”
Trouble is, eating away at each other is more fun than personal sacrifice. And consuming each other prompts better campaign commercials. (That’s why politicians make such little sense – most are talking with their mouths full.)
As for the pervasive lack of justice … that’s actually not an American thing. That’s a life thing. No matter what you demand, or how much you protest, judges like Solomon are few and far between in this life. (Instead, see: “under God.”)
Justice is one of those things it’s more blessed to give, than receive. I can’t make this world be fair to you – much less your ancestors. But I can be fair to you. And part of my pledge, when I hold my hand over my heart at the ballgame, is to try.
1 Corinthians 10:23-24, Galatians 5:13, 15
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