Summary of LIBERTY, EQUALITY, FRATERNITY
Sunday Lesson on July 12, 2015 - Rev. John Strickland
Bible Verses: Matthew 7: 12 (The Golden Rule)
Last week we celebrated America’s Independence Day: The 4th of July.
This week France celebrates its Independence: Bastille Day on the 14th of
July. One of the themes or rallying cries in the freedom movement in France
consists of three important words: liberty, equality and fraternity. In both
countries, their revolutions marked only the beginning of true freedom for
all. The freedom movement continues to this day.
As you know, 20 friends went to France recently to ride bikes and to
immerse ourselves in the French culture. It was not just an athletic event. It
was a deep and loving cultural exchange.
I’d like to begin with the words of an ancient Rabbi, Hillel the Elder, and a
successor Rabbi, Jesus the Christ. Here is the story found on the internet:
Once there was a gentile who came before Shammai, and said to him:
“Convert me on the condition that you teach me the whole Torah while I
stand on one foot. Shammai pushed him aside with the measuring stick he
was holding. The same fellow came before Hillel, and Hillel converted him,
saying: That which is despicable to you, do not do to your fellow, this is the
whole Torah, and the rest is commentary, go and learn it.” Jesus said it this
way in His Sermon on the Mount, a generation or two after Hillel: In
everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law
and the prophets. There is no doubt that Jesus knew of Hillel and his
teachings. This teaching, in one form or another, occurs in just about every
religion and ethical system. If we live by it, there will be no need for
revolutions. If we don’t, no revolution ever truly succeeds.
A little history: As we were bicycling through the French countryside, we
went through the magnificent forests of Fontainebleau, then on to the town
and palace by the same name. We were told that when we toured this
palace we would understand some of the reasons for the French Revolution.
Others who toured the palace and gardens of Versailles heard the same
speech from their tour guide. There was a wide gulf between the riches of
the aristocracy and the poverty and hunger of the commoners. There was
also the financial burden on France because of France’s support of the
American Revolution, slightly more than a decade earlier. So, people were
starving and they saw no chance for a brighter future. The principles from
America that all are created equal resonated in their minds and hearts. This
is what I believe is needed for all to be free: amply supply of healthy food,
shelter and clothing, good education, good health care and real
opportunities to be successful and fulfilled. If those are lacking, people will
be willing to join a revolution. A rallying cry of “Liberty, Equality and
Fraternity” gave the commoners hope and courage. But after the
revolution, the First French Republic was followed by Emperor Napoleon
Bonaparte. He did many good things, but ultimately was deposed. In our
country, not everyone was free. So we had a Civil War. And still not
everyone was free. There will not be freedom until all can have a good
education, have their health care needs met, and have real opportunities
for success.
In the late 19th century there was another revolution, a bloodless one. It
was a spiritual revolution that came to be known as New Thought. Unity
was a major player in the movement and remains a major player today. The
New Thought Revolution taught us that change must come from within. No
amount of work in the outer will be successful and enduring if there in not a
change in our interior life. We have our slogans: Life is consciousness;
Consciousness precedes manifestation; As within so without; and so forth.
These are not just idle words and “feel good” affirmations. These are the
truth which, if believed and applied, changes lives. True freedom comes
from within. The greatest gift God has given us is our mind and the heart.
When the mind and the heart are connected with each other and focused
on God-Within, all things are possible. We can be free. We know our
oneness with God and all life. We seek only the highest and best for this
world. We find peace. We cannot find peace in the outer. We cannot find
peace if we love only those who love us. When I look at Hillel’s version of
the Golden Rule I see great value and great power. I also see it written in
such a way as to be a commandment to not do something. I like the way
Jesus says it in the action form. DO SOMETHING! Do something good for
others. Find God within you and DO Good for others. Freedom!