No matter what your political views are, hopefully we can all agree that we're fortunate to live in a country that allows us to freely express those views, to argue and debate, and ultimately, to VOTE.
Independence Day reminds us, not only of the freedoms we enjoy as Americans, but of the responsibilities that come with those freedoms, i.e., the obligation we have as citizens to take an active part in ensuring the continuation of democracy.
For Christians, it is also a reminder of our obligation to pray for the good of our country and its citizens, and for true freedom in our nation and our world. In today's world, the idea of freedom immediately conjures up the concept of independence - and in a society that claims fierce independence, it's easy to lose sight of what that really means.
Yes, freedom means we are free from persecutions based on our beliefs and ways of life - that we can stand independently, without fear of reprisal. However, we need to remember that even though we have independence in the sense that we live in a free nation, we are not, and will never be, completely independent from one another. We still need one another, we need the beauty and diversity that all people offer - we are all bound together by our common humanity, and as Americans, we are bound together by our common citizenship - though we come in all shapes and sizes and races and ethnicities and don't always share the same beliefs. We would do well to remember the common ground we share, and use that as a starting point from which to discuss our differences. We call the United States a nation of free and independent people - but as its citizens, we're all in this together.
Knowing that not everyone who reads this blog is Catholic or Christian or anything except possibly American, I would say only this: if you pray, pray for this nation, and pray for your fellow citizens - pray for the continuation of freedom in this good land, and for true peace to take root and grow within it.
+Peace and good.
No comments:
Post a Comment