Tbe second thread. It has to to with Jesus and the Three Musketeers. Not that they ever met in person as far as I know. (That would be way better than the daVinci Code)
I don't know if the Three Musketeers existed in any real form. But in the Classic Comics or the Disney movie or in Dumas' original "Les Trois Mousquetaires" young D'Artagnan learned and lived the motto, "All for one and one for all." Space prevents exploration of the nuance of that famous phrase, but I always thought it meant that if one musketeer was in trouble, the others would come to the rescue. And each musketeer swore his allegiance to the group. There was no room for cowboys. That was a different story altogether.
Jesus taught a similar lesson. He constantly presented the motto to his disciples, serve each other. Greater love has no person that he lay it down for friends. Who is your neighbor?
The thread is, are we in this thing, life, just for ourselves?
We all know the Sunday School answer. And the Three Musketeers motto.
But do we believe it? Millions of people cannot afford health care. See Benjamin Bentley's brilliant editorial at http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/americans-without-health-insurance/
You might want to look at some of the comments to that editorial as well. The contrast demonstrates the point of this thread.
I have heard again this week that we are a Christian nation. At least a moral nation. If we are, then why do we have people who cannot get health care, and some who can have whatever they want? Why do we have some folks who can send their children to the best schools in the safest neighborhoods, while some live in fear that their children will not make it safely through the school day or the walk home? Why do some elderly citizens have to make the choice between food and prescription medicine? Why do some young mothers have to decide between child care and a job?
Self made man. Bootstraps. Nobody helped me. All for me and to hell with you.
The second thread. Are we in this just for ourselves? Are we cowboys or Les Mousquetaires?
Are we Christian?
I didn't mean to lump all cowboys as self-centered and non-caring.
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