Dear Friends in Christ,
This week, on Tuesday, we celebrate our nation’s birthday. As families gather across the nation for this holiday, let us take time to reflect upon the meaning of Independence Day.
Our nation gained its independence from Great Britain after colonists, united in their pursuit of liberty, agreed to cooperate and fight against their common enemy. At the time of independence, the 13 colonies had distinct regional identities and people living in them considered themselves first having allegiance to these regions, which later would become states. In order for us to
become The United States of America, we had to balance our desire for freedom with the recognition that in order to remain free we had to collaborate with one another in government.
Throughout our history, Americans largely have shared many common ideals and values that have transcended our differences. Despite a Civil War and various political divides, Americans have managed to maintain unity, understanding that without it our nation could not exist.
Yet, underlying our history itself is the fact that we are “one nation, under God.” God is the principle of unity that has, thus far, preserved us. Our faith in God, despite us belonging to many different Christian denominations and religions, has shaped us to act in charity towards our neighbor, to encourage good morality, and to seek fairness and justice for our citizens and the world.
We live in times when God and Christian faith seem to be devalued by some Americans and these same now seek to push them out of the life of our nation completely. If we take out the foundation of faith from our country, the whole structure of our society cannot stand. As we celebrate the Fourth of July, let us pray that our nation may not become godless. Let us ask God to convince new generations of Americans of faith’s importance in their lives and in the life of our nation
In Christ,
Fr. Michael