Mottos make a difference

As a young boy I joined the Boy Scouts. I found scouting was not my cup. I learned to tie some knots, but I never progressed beyond a Tenderfoot. Their motto, however stuck in my head. “Be prepared.” It is a nice piece of advice. I also learned that I had a duty to God and Country. Again, Scouting left me with a good thought that has stuck in my head.

My young adult life was dominated by military service, college education and graduate school. In my first church assignment, I was introduced to Rotary. I joined. The members of my club were a nice bunch of guys and made good golf partners. In addition, we did some good things around our town. My best memory was the large banner that was hung at every meeting. The four tests! Of the things we think, say or do….Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOOD WILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

When I moved to a new community, Rotary did not fit my schedule and I became a member of the local Optimist Club. It was a breakfast meeting and I could enjoy a meeting before moving on to my busy church schedule. Optimist Clubs also have a motto. They are the friend of the boy. This particular Optimist Club was a fun bunch. I looked forward to every meeting. AND we raised a lot of money and did a lot of things for young boys who needed friendly adult guidance.

I share these tid-bits to illustrate a reality. A good motto, when taken seriously, can guide and motivate groups of people in the doing of good. These three organizations do an amazing amount of good in our world and their mottos are very important in their adventure.

In our Israelite/Christian tradition the first motto found in the Old Testament law is known as the Shemah. In fact it is the first word of an Israelite prayer. It is found in the book of Deuteronomy. The word shemah is the Hebrew word for hear. In English it is like saying “now listen to this.” The short version of the Shemah is The Lord our God is one Lord. The longer version continues and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.” These are words that the faithful Israelite is never to forget. The instructions are that the words are to be worn on a frontlet between the eyes and on the back of the hand, and written on the doorpost of your home entrance. Further they are to be taught to children and discussed regularly in the home.

One can call it a prayer or a saying, but whatever else the words might be called, it is the motto of Israelites that is never to be forgotten. It is to guide their thinking and living.

In my thinking and pondering, I ask just what was the growing-up experience of Jesus from Nazareth. How did he come to his understandings of life and the will of God? Some would have us ignore his parental influences in favor of divine insight and knowledge. I see him as being taught and nurtured by Mary and Joseph. I see him as joining in the local synagogue discussions with the men of the community. I see him as a product not necessarily of a virgin birth but more probably of a supportive, loving home and community.

Near the end of his life as a small town rabbi he was asked about the greatest law. Translated into our modern world, he was being asked about the motto that guided his teaching and living. His response was quick and clear. First, Love God with heart, mind and soul, and second love your neighbor as one of your own house. These two commands form the motto of Jesus and ought to be the guiding words of every person who takes the name Christian and calls Jesus Lord. It is our motto that is to be written on our hearts, minds and souls. It is the context of every moment of life.

Our nation is not a Christian nation. It is a nation governed by the rule of law. However, our founding documents allow (and even encourage) the free exercise of religion. We are free to speak our religious convictions. It is our freedom to speak truth to power. I would argue that it is also our duty to speak truth to power.

There is a lot of room for differences of opinion about the meaning of love God. In America, individuals are free to do it their own way. However, the meaning of love of neighbor is much more concrete. Loving your neighbor does not allow killing of your neighbor. (Do you recall the story Jesus told when asked who his neighbor was?) Neighbors do not build fences. Neighbors do not leave one another hungry or homeless. Neighbors do not punish; rather they reconcile. Neighbors do not segregate. Neighbors welcome and include. Neighbors do not exclude others from quality health care. I am certain that the reader can expand the list.

What is America’s motto? I would accept land of the free and home of the brave for our secular world. However, as a Christian I am called on to speak at a higher level. I am called upon to speak truth to power. My submission of a motto for America is WHERE EVERYONE IS NEIGHBOR.

The Rev. Howard Bess is a retired American Baptist minister, who lives in Palmer, Alaska. His email address is hdbss@mtaonline.net.