July 1, 2012
The 4th of July…2012
Our declaration of independence
Last week, I re-watched the HBO series John Adams. In this multi-part series, the history of the birth of our beloved nation was presented to us through the perspective of one of the founding fathers…husband and father, farmer, author, representative, Vice President and President…John Adams. The series showed the diversity of thought within that small group of revolutionaries. They debated, they argued, they compromised, they fought amongst themselves, they stood strong….they made it happen. We stand on their shoulders.
On Wednesday the 4th, how will you celebrate the anniversary of the brave-hearted declaration that they signed? Yes, many of us will crank up the grill for ‘dogs and ‘burgers and ribs. There will be potato salad aplenty (mayonnaise and mustard based). Watermelon should be the fruit of the day (it’s too early for peaches). Cold sweet tea…and maybe… an adult beverage. There will be games and dancing and music and lots of laughter. Yes, we all know how the day might turn out for us. So, the question is not how your celebration will unfold. The question is…what will you celebrate on the 4th?
As disciples of the Lord Jesus, any talk involving “revolution” and “liberty” and “freedom” and “breaking free of tyranny”… must first mention THE liberation from oppression (which is the fruit of sin)…our living in the freedom of the sons and daughters of God…through and with and in the brother who is also Lord and Savior and Way…Jesus of Nazareth. This is our fundamental declaration of independence…that the chains of sin have been broken by Love….that He has shown us a new Way of being human…a redeemed way of life, fueled by the power of an intentional love….desiring to love as He loves.
As disciples of the Lord Jesus, any talk involving “revolution” and “liberty” and “freedom” and “breaking free of tyranny”… must first mention THE liberation from oppression (which is the fruit of sin)…our living in the freedom of the sons and daughters of God…through and with and in the brother who is also Lord and Savior and Way…Jesus of Nazareth. This is our fundamental declaration of independence…that the chains of sin have been broken by Love….that He has shown us a new Way of being human…a redeemed way of life, fueled by the power of an intentional love….desiring to love as He loves.
But disciples do not live in some spiritual vacuum. Though as Teresa of Avila taught us, our hearts long for the Kingdom…this Carmelite saint also reminded us that our feet and the reality of who-we-are is planted firmly on this earth…within a particular land and a particular culture and a particular time. And so, as faithful Roman Catholics and as proud citizens of this great nation, what will we celebrate this 4th of July?
So…let us celebrate the freedom of religious expression…by using it, to contact our elected officials and those appointed officials that serve in the government. Let is make use of this religious freedom and speak out about every issue that concerns our shared humanity: issues that involve the sacredness of life, from conception to natural death; issues of our freedom to worship as we choose to worship; issues that pit governmental action against individual conscience; issues that involve our care for the poor and the marginalized, our care for the orphan and the refugee.
The children and grandchildren of our parish will stand on your shoulders…inheriting a Church and a nation. What nation will we leave them? Will we as a Church remain faith-filled, in the Lord?
The 4th of July, 2012…our declaration of independence.
AMDG