We declare .....

independence and interdependence

Proper 9, Series C
American Declaration of Independence Episcopal Church on Edisto July 3, 2016

Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of the earth
for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to the
people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of
forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with
your gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
AMEN.
Luke tells us: THE LORD APPOINTED SEVENTY OTHERS
AND SENT THEM AHEAD OF HIM IN PAIRS TO EVERY
TOWN AND PLACE WHERE HE HIMSELF INTENDED TO
GO. (Luke 10:1) Matthew expressed the disciples mission in
another way. TAKE MY YOKE UPON YOU, AND LEARN
FROM ME. (Matthew 11:29) With apologies to Jesus, this morning
I want to reflect upon a different yoke. Jesus is using a common
metaphor for service and responsibility. Domestic animals were
yoked together so that they could harness the combined power
for the work at hand. Jesus asks that we "harness" our lives to
his life .....LEARN FROM ME.
Two hundred forty years ago, our founding fathers "yoked" us to
a similar "burden." These united States of America were bound

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together in a "declaration of independence." In some ways the

Declaration of Independence is like the Bible. Many people
profess their allegiance and show great reverence and respect for
both, but they don't read them. I must confess that I have only
read the Declaration of Independence twice in its entirety: once
in school and now in preparation for this sermon.
Those stirring words of Thomas Jefferson, "we hold these truths
to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are
endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that
among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." still
ring with strong emotions in my heart. We can understand how
people were moved by the aspirations expressed in this lifechanging document. We are still endeavoring to fulfill the high
expectations and noble aims of these principles.
As I read the document and reflected on the situations and lives
of those British colonists on these shores, I began to recognize
an even greater truth. These individuals, these Bostonians, New
Yorkers, Virginians, Charlestonians began to see themselves as
Americans. "When in the Course of human events, it becomes
necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands. This is

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The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of

America. In conclusion: "And for the support of this
Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine
Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our
Fortunes and our sacred Honor." One people ..... united
States .....mutually pledge to each other. Remember Pauls
words to the Galatians: BEAR ONE ANOTHERS BURDENS.
(Galatians 6:3)

This is not only a Declaration of Independence, it is a

declaration of "interdependence." We need each other. Our
identity as citizens of a particular community, region, colony is
subsumed in our identity as citizens of these United States of
America. As with the other words of this Declaration, we are
still learning what this means: how we can live together as one
people with the diversity and variety of peoples, cultures, races
and religious beliefs?

(Romans 7:21-25 - Paul understood this difficulty within

himself. I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do the good I want.)

We know from history that once independence was attained,

these founding fathers too had difficulty in living into their own
dream.

Self-interest and regionalism once more became

dominant, rather than mutual interest and the common good. I

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believe as a nation we will always struggle with these problems.

(illustration: RoadScholars Three Friends 10 of first 12 Presidents of the United
States owned slaves)

Again Paul writing to the Galatians and to us:

FOR ALL MUST CARRY THEIR OWN LOADS. THOSE

WHO ARE TAUGHT THE WORD MUST SHARE IN ALL
GOOD THINGS WITH THEIR TEACHER. (Galatians 6:6) Could
Mr. Jefferson not hear his own words: All men are created
equal? Or perhaps Thomas Jefferson was like many of us. Our
actions dont measure up to our words. This applied to us both
as a nation and as a Christian people.

This brings me to a second insight into the Declaration of

Independence.
"These truths ..... endowed by their Creator." The principles on
which this nation is founded are not a matter of human choice
alone. "The Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them."
We have heard about the divine rights of Kings," but we are
proclaiming the divine rights of all people. Truly it is "under
God" that this nation is founded, and it is only "under God" that
this nation will endure! In declaring their independence from
Great Britain, they said: "We, therefore, the Representatives of
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the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled,

appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world." "With a firm
reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually
pledge." What happens to a people when they break that mutual
pledge ..... under God?
Like ancient Israel perhaps, this nation is established for
"others." To promote the dignity and worthy of each human
being, regardless of social status, education, ethic background or
religious convictions is only possible "with a firm reliance on
the protection of divine Providence."
We have been given a yoke, a yoke of freedom, but also a yoke
of responsibility. As long as we remain on this earth, we are
citizens of two kingdoms. In this context (the Declaration of
Independence) kingdom might be a bad choice of words. What
we mean, however, is that we are under the reign (authority) of
God and under the principles proclaimed in our American
Declaration of Independence.

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Let us pray:
O Judge of the nations, we remember before you with grateful
hearts the men and women of our country who in the day of
decision ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy. Grant
that we may not rest until all the people of this land share in the
benefits of true freedom and gladly accept its disciplines. This
we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.

After the Nicene Creed: I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the

United States of America, and to the Republic for which it
stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all.

The Reverend Dr. Colton M. Smith

1 Bishop Gadsden Way, Apt. 346
Charleston, SC 29412