Shirtless

Last week, the news media told us that a picture of a “shirtless” Republican Vice President candidate had become something of an internet sensation!  Google trends showed that the second most-popular shirt term associated with Paul Ryan was “shirtless.”  What does that have to do with whether he and his running mate would make good government leaders of the United States?  While I appreciate a physically fit candidate, I don’t believe how he looks shirtless is on top of my list of priorities in how I will vote. 

Once again, we are distracted from the real reason why the people of the United States go to the polls every four years in November.  I’d rather go shirtless in another way—strip off these fancy distractions in these presidential campaigns, and reveal what is really happening in this nation and figure out the real issues that need to be addressed.  If we dare to go shirtless in our nation, we might see a nation that has been economically and socially unwell for a while, and we will need leaders who can see that and help us heal and achieve wellness for the long term, not just for immediate gain or window-dressing, but for the sustainability of future generations.

Last week I invited my readers to refocus their communities on why they go to the poll by studying important documents that formed the United States, starting with the Declaration of Independence.  This week, I will continue the series and focus on the Preamble of the Constitution, which was adopted by a Convention of the States on September 17, 1787, with ratification completed by all thirteen states on June 21, 1788. (They didn’t have e-mail or video-conferencing then.)

The Preamble consists of well, thought-out action verbs and themes: form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide the common Defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty.   If you listen to these themes carefully, you will see how they work together and support each other to create a well-balanced approach to the governance of the nearly formed country. Of course they continue to be relevant to the people of the United States today. 

These are the topics I would use to measure the qualification of any candidate running for offices in the United States.  Can this person’s leadership maintain a more perfect Union?  Does this person have a track record for insuring domestic tranquility?  Will this person continue to uphold justice for all?  Does this person have the knowledge and skills to provide strong defense?  Does this person have the passion to promote the common welfare of the people?  Will this person make sure that our freedom and liberty are secured for future generations?

Constitution of the United States
Adopted by convention of States, September 17, 1787; Ratification completed, June 21, 1788
PREAMBLE
We the People of the United States, in Order to
form a more perfect Union,
establish Justice,
insure domestic Tranquility,
provide for the common Defense,
promote the general Welfare, and
secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity,
do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Dialogue Process: Inform participants that the Preamble of the Constitution of the United States will be read three times. After each reading, participants will be invited to share their reflections using the Mutual Invitation process. (See last week’s post for description.) Invite participants to capture a word, a phrase or image that stands out for them from the document while the text is read out loud the first time. Using Mutual Invitation, invite each person to share his or her word, phrase or image briefly. Review the main themes of the Preamble. You might want to write them on a flip-chart or project them on a screen. Main Themes in the Preamble: Form a more perfect Union. Establish Justice. Insure domestic Tranquility. Provide common Defense. Promote general Welfare. Secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity. Invite someone to read the document a second time. Invite participants to take the time to: Select one main theme and share how they have experienced it in the United States Select one main theme and share how they have not experienced it in the United States. Using Mutual Invitation, invite each person to share his or her reflection. Invite participants to consider the following question while listening to the document again: As a result of listening to this document, how would you evaluate the qualifications of the candidates running for offices in the United States? Using Mutual Invitation, invite each person to share his or her reflection.

Reflection Questions for Proper 15 (Year B) 1 Kings 8:22-30,41-43    What did you learn from this passage about prayer and sacred place? Psalm 84:1-6   What is the purpose of the house of worship? Ephesians 6:10-20   How does it mean to pray in the Spirit? John 6:56-69   How do you receive the word that are the spirit and life?

Eric H. F. Law
Kaleidoscope Institute
For competent leadership in a diverse changing world
www.kscopeinstitute.org

Dates set for 2013 Opportunity to Study with The Sustainist: April 15-19 Missional Ministry in the Grace Margin and Holy Currencies Orientation Los Angeles, CA July 15-19 Holy Currencies: Beyond Time, Talent and Treasure Los Angeles, CA August 19-23 Fundamental Skills for Building Inclusive Community and Holy Currencies Orientation Rainbow Lodge Retreat Center, North Bend (near Seattle), WA Register at:  www.kscopeinstitute.org