Monday, July 10, 2017

Parish Bulletin Article: "Independence Day": 7-2-17

            On this Wednesday we will celebrate the United States of America on its 241 anniversary.  On this same day in 1776 our forefathers declared independence with their words and signatures.  Here is one snippet:

We in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitled them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

(Read these 1322 words!)
           
This day reminds me both of our country and God.  As a country, we are blessed in this beautiful place on earth.  I have seen lakes, rivers, oceans, mountains, plains, forests, fields and beautiful nature.  More than these, I am blessed from my parents, brothers, sister-in-laws, nieces and nephew, relatives and friends in our country.
I also praise God.  He is the Creator of this earth.  His providence allows us to live with rich blessings: religious freedom, food, drink, clothes, homes, safety, education, technology, hospitals and more.
At the same time, God’s same love and creation is offered to each person in each place around the globe.  His Kingdom is not just for us, but our whole world.  After Jesus’ resurrection he taught his apostles, and all of us today: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age” (Matthew 28:18b-20).
I ask you for three spiritual opportunities on the 4th of July.  Please come to Mass at 10:00am at St. Thomas Aquinas.  Here we can worship God with freedom when many others cannot.  Please offer an Our Father for the 321.4 million citizens in our country as this prayer says, “Thy kingdom done”.  And please remember that our King is the King for all followers to Him.
God Bless!

            

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