In our Lenten book study of Was America Founded as a Christian Nation? author John Fea suggests that Samuel Adams believed that republics could survive “only when their citizens sacrificed self-interest for the common good and lived upright and moral lives.” He took issue with “America’s sinful obsession with entertainment, luxury, ‘Assemblies and Balls,’ gambling, the latest fashions, the endless pursuit of wealth and diversions and ‘depravity of manners’ that distracted ordinary people from practicing the kind of virtue necessary to sustain the Republic.” Amid the current concerns about the fragility of our democracy and republic, Adams’ assessment is helpful. If we are to survive as a democratic nation, then we must have a sense of the common good that transcends our selfish interests. Jesus encourages his disciples to do just that – to deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow him; to love their neighbors as themselves; to serve others rather than seeking to be served. In his death and resurrection, he sacrificed his life in order that ALL might be saved. For him the common good had no limits. He breaks down the boundaries that would limit those with whom we share that common good. There is no “America First” or “Christian First” or “Presbyterian First.” Our responsibilities for the common good transcend political, geographic, ethnic, or religious boundaries, for we are ALL created in the image of God. We are called to love and serve ALL our neighbors, to sacrifice selfish interests for the common good, so that ALL may thrive. But Adams also suggests that we need to live moral lives. In that regard, his critique of the sinful obsessions of the nation in his day seem relevant to our society today – though we might substitute “arenas and stadiums” for “Assemblies and Balls”! We too are plagued by the dogged pursuit of wealth – in college sports where any relationship to education is sacrificed at the altar of more money for athletes, coaches, and college coffers alike; in cuts to Medicaid and programs that help the poor in the search of tax cuts that disproportionately benefit the wealthy; in turning a blind eye to the impact of climate change in pursuit of cheap energy. The rise of gambling across our nation and the endless pursuit of screen entertainment are addictions and afflictions; last year I heard a presentation from a major investment firm that reported that 750,000 young men between the ages of 18 and 29 are not in the workforce because they are playing video games at home! Drugs and alcohol continue to be escapes from reality for far too many people of all ages. In the memorable words of Neil Postman, “We are amusing ourselves to death!” Jesus calls us to live as resurrection people, sharing the good news, living with hope, and following his example of self-sacrificial love and service. He never said it would be easy or lucrative to do so; he suggested it would be something else – faithful! May we all be so faithful!
— John Peterson
