February 19, will be Washington’s Birthday. It will be the day our nation will
celebrate Presidents’ Day, a holiday ranking along side Independence Day.
The presidency of the United States of America is the highest symbol of
freedom of the Western world. Throughout history, our presidents have
worked hard to preserve our freedom and the freedom of other nations. Even today, President
Bush leads the Western countries in combating terrorism, the evil oppressive menace working
to destroy our way of life.
To be sure, our presidents have not always been models of virtue, along with everyone else in
the country. Saying the contrary is denying their humanity and ours. Some presidents have
exhibited a most undesirable private and public behavior. Some have been too zealous about
the preservation and protection of our freedom. Others have neglected it, risking our national
sovereignty. But most of our presidents have served the people well, honoring their oath of
office:
office of the presidency. We honor our nation and what it stands for. The United States is the
land of the free. It is also the home of the braves. Beginning with the Revolutionary War,
countless men and women have served in our Armed Forces and died on the line of duty to
create the freedom we enjoy and later to “preserve and protect” our freedom and the freedom
of others, a most praiseworthy service. Yes, it is proper that we pay tribute to our presidents
and the office of the presidency not just the one designated day but remain in a state of
celebration.
As we celebrate Presidents’ Day, reflecting on the accomplishments of that office and the
service of the persons who execute its directives, we also ponder on our duty as common
citizens. What service may we render to the nation? The suggestive words of President
Lyndon B. Johnson come to mind, "Each of us must find a way to advance the purpose of the
nation, thus finding new purpose for ourselves.”
Certainly, the events of September 11 led to a re-evaluation of personal purposes. Spiritual
and relational values became as important as materialistic and individual ones. Did the former
come to the fore because of grief, fear and anger, the prevailing feelings in Americans after
our tragedy? What has been the nation’s attitude as time healed our wounds? We have
witnessed a visible return to “business as usual.” Many concerned leaders fear that the
motivators inducing value change have been artificial and temporary.
What are we to do? We could work toward the fulfilment of the patriotic ideals of President
Lincoln expressed in words to the nation during other most difficult days:
It is high time for us all to engage in serious dialogue with the human and divine and hear the
expectations of both. God calls us to serve, and humanity affords us the opportunity. In the
Judeo-Christian theology there is no room for believers who do not practice their professions,
though those believers abound. Confession and conduct go together, as the latter is the
expression of the former and the former the affirmation of the latter. In his State of the Union,
President Bush called us to replace complacency with action. There is much to do.
Best wishes in the Lord,
celebrate Presidents’ Day, a holiday ranking along side Independence Day.
The presidency of the United States of America is the highest symbol of
freedom of the Western world. Throughout history, our presidents have
worked hard to preserve our freedom and the freedom of other nations. Even today, President
Bush leads the Western countries in combating terrorism, the evil oppressive menace working
to destroy our way of life.
To be sure, our presidents have not always been models of virtue, along with everyone else in
the country. Saying the contrary is denying their humanity and ours. Some presidents have
exhibited a most undesirable private and public behavior. Some have been too zealous about
the preservation and protection of our freedom. Others have neglected it, risking our national
sovereignty. But most of our presidents have served the people well, honoring their oath of
office:
- I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United
States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution
of the United States.
office of the presidency. We honor our nation and what it stands for. The United States is the
land of the free. It is also the home of the braves. Beginning with the Revolutionary War,
countless men and women have served in our Armed Forces and died on the line of duty to
create the freedom we enjoy and later to “preserve and protect” our freedom and the freedom
of others, a most praiseworthy service. Yes, it is proper that we pay tribute to our presidents
and the office of the presidency not just the one designated day but remain in a state of
celebration.
As we celebrate Presidents’ Day, reflecting on the accomplishments of that office and the
service of the persons who execute its directives, we also ponder on our duty as common
citizens. What service may we render to the nation? The suggestive words of President
Lyndon B. Johnson come to mind, "Each of us must find a way to advance the purpose of the
nation, thus finding new purpose for ourselves.”
Certainly, the events of September 11 led to a re-evaluation of personal purposes. Spiritual
and relational values became as important as materialistic and individual ones. Did the former
come to the fore because of grief, fear and anger, the prevailing feelings in Americans after
our tragedy? What has been the nation’s attitude as time healed our wounds? We have
witnessed a visible return to “business as usual.” Many concerned leaders fear that the
motivators inducing value change have been artificial and temporary.
What are we to do? We could work toward the fulfilment of the patriotic ideals of President
Lincoln expressed in words to the nation during other most difficult days:
- ...That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government
of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
It is high time for us all to engage in serious dialogue with the human and divine and hear the
expectations of both. God calls us to serve, and humanity affords us the opportunity. In the
Judeo-Christian theology there is no room for believers who do not practice their professions,
though those believers abound. Confession and conduct go together, as the latter is the
expression of the former and the former the affirmation of the latter. In his State of the Union,
President Bush called us to replace complacency with action. There is much to do.
Best wishes in the Lord,
| REFLECTIONS ON PRESIDENT'S DAY by J. C. Cordova, D.Min., LCSW |
