Today we honor our independence even as we acknowledge our true dependence on God
Reflections on the readings for U.S. Independence Day (Saturday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time (July 4, 2020): AM 9:11-15; PS 85:9-10,11-12,13-14; MT 9:14-17
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
This essential holiday of the United States is a celebration of the beginnings of this nation...
Happy Fourth of July! This year is the 244th anniversary of the signing and proclamation of the Declaration of Independence. The signers were members of the Second Continental Congress gathered in Philadelphia from the thirteen American colonies. They had gathered to agree on a public statement explaining the reasons for separating from Great Britain and for the revolution that had already begun. This essential holiday of the United States is a celebration of the beginnings of this nation and, for many, a salute to the very idea of freedom. Because this year has become a year unlike other years, we are observing this day in different ways. In recent months, our country and our world have suffered the trauma of widespread disease, the hardship of economic distress, and the anguish of loss, separation and unexpected change. We who treasure our independence as we go about our daily lives have had to face the reality of relying on others even as we have had to keep our distance from them.
This difficult time has also offered us the opportunity to look more deeply into our relationship with God. We can see ever more clearly that in is not only necessary to believe in Him, but also to entrust ourselves completely to His loving care. With the stability of everyday life upended, we have been made more profoundly aware that we truly depend on our Lord, body and soul. “I will hear what God proclaims; the Lord – for He proclaims peace to His people. Near indeed is His salvation to those who fear Him, glory dwelling in our land. Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven” (Psalm 85:9-12). As we honor our country today, let us also commit ourselves to embracing the grace of our Almighty Father and to reaching out to help our neighbors. And let us build up our own communities, as well as those in need around the world, into places that celebrate God’s goodness and mercy every day of the year.
