I recently got around to watching “The
Patriot” with Mel Gibson. Overall, I was impressed. It was a well
done and well crafted film which captured much of the flavor of the
American Revolution, if not the accurate details.
The thing which struck me most about
the film was how it made me feel as an American. I had no less than
three or four ancestors in the original New England colonies in the
mid sixteen hundreds from both sides of my family. I have relatives
on both sides of my family who have traced our family lines
throughout the history of the United States from its first English
colonies through the American Revolution, and on through the Civil
War and the westward expansion. In many ways, my own personal family
history is a mirror of the history of this country. Relations of mine
helped forge the huge chains that were strung to keep out British
ships. Other relations were slave owners. I even had ancestors
fighting on both sides of the Civil War, North and South. My own
great grandfather was either full or at least half Cherokee, so at
least some of my ancestors had to walk the Trail of Tears (I never
forget that I would have had to). So when I sat and watched this film
it stirred something within me which I'm not sure I can explain.
Something deep within me, something in my blood resonated with the
American soldiers in their red, white,and blue uniforms and the
American flag flying as they fought a desperate war against an Empire
upon which the sun never set.
I was taught to be patriotic and to
love this country since as far back as I can remember. I suppose
that's what happens when you're born into a military family and live
on or near military bases for the first six years of your life. It's
ingrained into your very being to feel something at the sight of the
American flag flying in the breeze. It's ingrained into you to have
nothing but respect for American soldiers even if you will never
serve that way yourself (not that I didn't try).
Patriotism is defined as a love for
one's native country. Good or bad, right or wrong, to be a patriot
you must love your country and want the best for it. A real patriot
would not think of trying to cause its downfall, or try to shatter it
into pieces. A real patriot would work for the good of their country
even if it means coming to a compromise with people you disagree
with, so that everyone can benefit.
Earlier tonight, as I write this, I saw
a piece on the news about a new “fortified city” being proposed
in Northern Idaho, within a couple hours drive from us, by a group
that wants to have as little to do with the US government as
possible. Their advertisement for “citizens” for this community
calls for “true patriots” who must own an AR-15 assault rifle and
maintain a thousand rounds of ammunition. I really have to wonder at
the irony that this group only considers those people true patriots
who are willing to separate from the United States and fight against
it “if the need arises.” As I think about my family's history, I
really have to wonder if they understand the meaning of the word
“patriot.”
Often, there seem to be too many within
the Church who seem to use the same definition of “patriotism” as
this group. Their measure of loyalty to and love for Jesus Christ is
taken by how willing they are to break apart the Church and cloister
themselves against its unification, refusing to come to a mutual
agreement of faith, and allowing each other the freedom to disagree
on minor issues which hurt no one. Local pastors or laypersons who
believe themselves to be sovereign in and of themselves instead of
subject to a greater unified authority under a single Head (no, I'm
not talking about the Pope for those who assume all Catholics are
Roman). This is how civil wars begin and continue, such as rage
within the Church to this day.
The Red, White, and Blue will always be
a part of who I am, and I will always be intertwined with it, for
better or for worse. In the same way, regardless of how much people
within the Church try and rebel against it, the One, Holy, Catholic,
and Apostolic nature of the Church and its historical government and
practice will always be a part of it, for better or for worse. The
teachings and practice of Jesus Christ are interwoven into its very
fabric and DNA. Those who are true patriots of the Kingdom of Heaven
will always feel this deep within them, regardless of whether they
understand it. And those who are true patriots will always feel the
pull towards unity as a single nation of people regardless of where
we come from, even if we disagree and squabble over details. And
those who are true patriots will always be willing to sacrifice their
lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to see that unity
maintained, and will defend it against all those who seek to tear it
apart.
