“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America…”
Remember when we flew the flag with pomp and circumstance? We honored dear Old Glory with much pride. We pledged allegiance standing tall with hands across our hearts acknowledging the soldiers who have died.
One day a year we took the time to recognize our flag and teach our children what it represents. But now it seems those times are past. The 14th day of June is just another day. It really makes no sense!
Our stars and stripes are still the means of picturing our past while calling out our best symbolically: a God-blessed nation unified where there is room for all from east to west, from sea to shining sea.
In addition to each week’s post on this website, Greg Asimakoupoulos offers daily video devotionals on his YouTube channel. Here is a sample video. If you are interested in receiving these devotionals Monday through Friday, you can subscribe on YouTube at My Rhymes and Reasons.
A wallet-size replica of Greg Asimakoupoulos’ high school diploma
Commencement, like the word implies, suggests an open door through which you walk in cap and gown to find a new beginning to what’s next, new friends, new jobs and more and ways to test and stretch your growing mind.
Commencing is an active verb inviting you to go and reach for what is yet to be attained. When you commence you look ahead (while mindful of the past) and focus on a future still to gain.
To graduate suggests you’re done. Commencing says, “Let’s go! And get to work based on all you have learned.” So go for broke. Spend all you have to make your dreams come true investing in the trust you still must earn.
In addition to each week’s post on this website, Greg Asimakoupoulos offers daily video devotionals on his YouTube channel. Here is a sample video. If you are interested in receiving these devotionals Monday through Friday, you can subscribe on Greg’s channel.
A brother walks the past with you embracing moments known by few. He calls to mind what you forgot and underscores his love.
A brother stands the test of time when life goes blank and doesn’t rhyme, when losses undermine your wins and having faith is hard.
A brother sits with you in pain because he knows you’ll do the same when it’s his turn to wipe a tear or face uncertainty.
Yes, brothers are a gift from God. They voice their pride and give a nod to dreams you long to realize. They cheer you on your way!
In addition to each week’s post on this website, Greg Asimakoupoulos offers daily video devotionals on his YouTube channel. Here is a sample video. If you are interested in receiving these devotionals Monday through Friday, you can subscribe by going to the “My Rhymes and Reasons YouTube Channel.”
Greg’s photo of grave markers at Arlington National Cemetery
In Arlington and Gettysburg and graveyards of which few have heard, those small white markers sanctify the hallowed ground beneath.
They speak of veterans who are dead, who overcame their sense of dread to undermine the enemy and pre-pay what we own.
What we now claim was purchased then by soldiers who would fight again to guarantee our cherished rights, which makes our country great.
Each tiny marker, boasts the name of one who never savored fame, but served his Uncle selflessly not needing to be known.
We thank You, God, for these now gone and for their memories that live on. As we place wreaths and little flags, grace us with healthy pride.
In addition to each week’s post on this website, Greg Asimakoupoulos offers daily video devotionals on his YouTube channel. Here is a sample video. If you are interested in receiving these devotionals Monday through Friday, you can subscribe on Greg’s channel.
A celebration banner hangs at the entrance to the Asimakoupoulos’ home
When the election of Pope Leo XIV was announced a week ago, I hung a banner outside our home to celebrate with the rest of the Christian world. The unexpected appointment of an American pontiff from Chicago resonated personally. We raised our family in the Windy City.
When the white smoke appeared atop the Sistine Chapel, the world had no idea the new leader of the Catholic church (robed in white) was a White Sox fan. Curiously, the mother of this future pontiff had cheered for the Cubs. His dad (most appropriately) followed the Cardinals. Neither had a clue they were raising one who would become one. But a neighbor did.
When little Bobby Prevost from Dalton, Illinois was six years old, the lady next door said to his parents, “That kid is going to be pope some day!” And time proved her right! My prayer is that time will prove Pope Leo XIV truly is God’s choice to lead a renewal within the Roman church.
Looking back on my seventy-three years of living, I have seen a major shift in my personal perspective toward the Roman Catholic Church. I grew up in a fundamentalist subculture that was quick to question whether my Catholic classmates and neighbors were really Christians in the way I defined the term.
Praying to saints and practicing of penance was foreign to me. So were the concepts of indulgences and purgatory. Whereas my belief structure celebrated salvation “by grace through faith,” my Catholic friends seemed to focus on earning God’s favor. Our doctrinal focus appeared at odds. Gratefully, my limited understanding began to grow as I started to see evidence of God’s grace in the lives of those who saw the mysteries of faith differently than I.
One of the means God used to guide my changing perspective as a youngster was an interfaith program on a local Seattle TV station that featured a Catholic priest, a Jewish rabbi and a Protestant minister. Father William Treacy, Rabbi Raphael Levine and Dr. Robert Fine dialogued about where Judaism and Christianity overlapped and differed. The respect and honor they afforded each other was noteworthy. At the time I had not idea that Rabbi Levine’s sister would become a treasured friend and confidant.
Another means the Almighty utilized to undermine my misconceptions of the Catholic wing of the Church was Bishop Fulton Sheen. As a teenager I would watch this effervescent cleric on television with great interest. I sensed his joy and integrity.
In time I realized that some of my preconceived notions of what Catholics believe were naïve and uninformed. As a chaplain serving a faith-based retirement community for a decade, I had the privilege of shepherding an ecumenical flock. That experience broadened my horizons and expanded my understanding of God’s grace. I came to see that the mystery of God’s grace is beyond my ability to categorize in tight theological boxes.
As I watched the events unfolding from the Vatican with the rest of the world, I opened my laptop and composed a prayer for the pope. I invite you to pray it with me.
Heavenly Father, fill the Holy Father with an abundance of Your truth and mercy as well as Your humility and love. May this one who grew up in the Windy City, find the winds of the Holy Spirit blowing through St. Peter’s Basilica (and beyond) with gale-force strength. Give Leo the ferocious heart of a lion that will beat strongly and consistently for justice and righteousness. Help him to hear Your still small voice as he verbalizes hope to the least and the lost.
May this one who advocates for the marginalized and misunderstood hold the powerful accountable for their misdeeds. Hold him close to Your heart that he might daily hear the pulsating evidence of Your grace. Remind this one who carries Peter’s staff of that ancient call to feed Your sheep. Remind him of Your timeless call to do justly, and love mercy and to walk humbly with You. Remind him of the essence of the Gospel that is by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone. In His name alone I pray. Amen.
In addition to each week’s post on this website, Greg Asimakoupoulos offers daily video devotionals on his YouTube channel. Here is a sample video. If you are interested in receiving these devotionals Monday through Friday, you can subscribe on Greg’s channel.
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