Memorial Day is a Monday, not a Sunday.
I say that as a grateful American who loves my country, who
celebrates the blessings of freedom that so many laid their lives down for. I
say that as someone who has a number of ancestors that fought boldly in the Revolutionary
War, in addition to those that fought with courage in a variety of conflicts. I
say that as someone who has traced his ancestors from early American history in
Tennessee , South Carolina ,
Georgia , and Alabama , some of whom
were involved in the beginnings of Methodism and some of whom were directly
involved in the establishment of our principles of religious freedom. I say
that as someone who has been to see their graves and remembered their
sacrifices.
One of the things I value most is religious freedom in our
country. The downside, of course, is that there are more versions of
Christianity than I can count on our continent. Most are faithful traditions
seeking God. Others are distortions that I consider dangerous. But I believe
that due to the religious freedom we value so dearly, time sifts through what
is truth and what is not. Each movement thrives or dies according to the purity
of its fruit. I leave that to God, and I appreciate the right to choose
expression of faith.
All this is to say it’s important to acknowledge those who
have gone before us, remembering their sacrifices. But I must admit, it bothers
me that we seem to forget Memorial Day is a Monday. We tend to just take the
day off to barbeque, or go to the lake, or get some housework done, or spend
leisure time with family. And we assume the church is there to cover for us on
the day before.
Memorial Day is a federal holiday celebrated every year on
the final Monday of May. It originated after the Civil War to commemorate the
deceased Union and Confederate soldiers. By
the 20th century, it had been extended to honor all Americans who have died
while in the military service. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials,
particularly to honor those who have died in military service. I usually spend
a little time maintaining or sharing the online memorials I have made of family
who served in the military.
So I suppose I’m not reminding us Memorial Day is a Monday
just because of my discomfort with too much of a sprinkling, into Sunday worship,
of “civil religion,” that set of quasi-religious attitudes, beliefs, rituals,
and symbols that tie members of a political community together. It is true that
I am conservative about what is displayed on the communion table and religious
symbolism in the sanctuary, which should point to Christ and to the grace of
God, and not who we are and what we stand for. It is true that I do not
consider the flag an essential piece of Christian worship furniture with the
same prominence as the communion table, the pulpit, and the font.
Mainly, I’m reminding us the Memorial Day is a Monday
because we must never forget national holidays, such as Veteran’s Day, Memorial
Day, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, and Labor Day were created to give us
Mondays to commemorate, remember, and respect our heritage and national
blessings. It’s not to be “covered” by worship the day before. Worship is to
focus all of our lives on the redeeming grace of God through the love of Jesus
Christ. Each national Monday is a time to do something intentional to remember,
reflect, and respond.
