Today’s Scripture Reading (June 3, 2016): Psalm 66 & 67
It is at the end of almost every political speech given in the United States. The words … and God bless America. It would almost seem unpatriotic not to include them, although the meaning is probably different with every speaker that breathes the words. I can’t imagine that Bernie Sanders, a Jew and almost agnostic, means the same thing when he speaks them as Marco Rubio, a born-again Christian, does. Or that Hillary Clinton, a follower of the law of political expediency doing whatever it takes to get elected, means the same thing as Donald Trump does when he speaks them. (To be honest, Trump is a bit of an enigma when it comes to what he really believes in, if he even believes in anything past Donald Trump.) But God bless America anyway.
For some, the phrase is archaic. It extends back to a time when we didn’t understand the world as well as we do know. The world was a mysterious place where sometimes rain fell and sometimes drought happened – place where the earth shook and the mountains erupted with lava for apparently no reason at all. And it all seemed to be at the whim of some deity who had control over the good and the bad. And so we asked for his blessing, hoping that he would change our reality. But now we know more. We understand global weather patterns and have a handle on climate change – not that that has helped us become better predictors of the weather – and the need for God’s blessing seems to be somewhat less.
Sometimes I think we have become too satisfied with what we know. There is still much that we do not know, and much that maybe someday we will understand in more depth than we do now. But our knowledge is not a reason to stop seeking the blessing of God. Even with all that we know, we still need his blessing. And actually, it might be that we are in even more need of God shining down on us. The blessing of God often comes in a very countercultural way. After all, just consider the beatitudes at the opening of Jesus Sermon on the Mount.
Blessed are the poor …
Blessed are those who mourn …
Blessed are the meek
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness …
Blessed are the merciful …
Blessed are the pure in heart …
Blessed are the peacemakers …
Blessed are the persecuted …
Blessed are you when people insult you …
I am not sure that any of the politicians who are asking for God’s blessing are actually asking for God to make this list a reality in their lives when they say “God Bless America.” But maybe this should actually be our prayer. God, allow your blessing to fall on me until I look like that. Then, maybe we can actually be the peacemakers we are supposed to be. Then maybe we will bring understanding across cultural divides. Then maybe we will begin to really be recreated into the image of Christ.
It would not be an easy prayer, but in the midst of all that we know, it might be the one that we need to pray. God, bless us, be gracious to us and make your face shine done on us – until we begin to look more like you.
Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Psalm 71
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