Independence Day

Many of us will celebrate Independence Day with barbecues this afternoon and fireworks tonight.  But there’s another side of the holiday John F. Kennedy would have wanted us to honor, too.  In a speech when he was 29 years old and running for Congress, he addressed the crowd at Boston’s Independence Day celebration, saying, “The informing spirit of the American character has always been a deep religious sense.  Throughout the years, down to the present, a devotion to fundamental religious principles has characterized American thought and action.”

Such themes strike me in today’s readings.  The words of peace and justice stand out.  In Isaiah and Paul, justice, peace, calm and security become a result of the Spirit pouring out from on high.  Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit will always be with us.

One of our fundamental religious principles states clearly, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”  We are asked to put ourselves in the place of the stranger looking for welcome.  Not only is it a spiritual imperative that we see Christ and therefore ourselves in others, but it’s a historical reality as well.  All of us at some point in our family history were strangers who wished to be welcomed.

We are most certainly descendants of immigrants, so we can identify with the people of today who leave their home countries to come here, the place we take pride in calling “the land of opportunity,” the place where Lady Liberty says to the world, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”  We can relate to immigrants and refugees.  We are mindful of the contribution they have made and continue to make in our communities.

Pope Francis tells us that we cannot be just another special interest group guided by ideology, much less partisan politics, detached from the gospel.  What we in the Catholic Church bring to the table is Jesus Christ, his gospel, his vision, his way of life, and his promise of a kingdom abounding in truth, justice, compassion, kindness, understanding, peace, and love. 

Such a culture of inclusion is historically what has made the United States great, making neighbors of strangers and welcoming their contributions to our country.  Our history as a nation of people from every land has been enriched by the gifts, talents and ethnic heritage that immigrants have brought and continue to bring.  As Americans and as Christians, we are heralds of this blessing.  There is plenty about America that is worth fireworks and flag-waving and barbeques.  Happy Fourth of July to all!

Paul A. Magnano

Pastor