Our Fourth of July Independence Day is an appropriate time\u00a0to reflect on the gift of freedom and the responsibility that\u00a0comes along with it. We are so blessed to enjoy the\u00a0freedoms outlined in our United States Constitution and Bill of Rights. \u00a0The expectation of transparency and mutual respect that accompanies\u00a0them helps to create a social fabric of expansive rights and of liberty for\u00a0all of us. We do well to remember the cost of preserving these freedoms\u00a0especially for our military personnel and their families. They in particular\u00a0are bearing the cost of our freedoms in a heroic way. We need to keep\u00a0them always in our prayers.<\/p>\n
The flip side of freedom is responsibility. Hebrew and Christian Sacred\u00a0Scriptures always present these two, freedom and responsibility, as\u00a0indivisibly joined. In a democracy, this fact is clear when it comes to\u00a0exercising our right to vote. We need to be actively involved in determining the future of local and national\u00a0priorities and decisions. We can help to shape social policy in a significant way only if we educate ourselves\u00a0and vote our values and consciences. Exercising our freedom to vote is the most important way of expressing\u00a0our responsibility.<\/p>\n
For Christian people, in addiction, there is the added dimension of sharing in the sovereignty of God. We have\u00a0been given a share in the stewardship responsibility for our world and for all of life. This is a sacred trust and a\u00a0great privilege. We have the responsibility to use our intelligence, creativity, courage and hard work to help create\u00a0a world and nation that is congruent with the providential will and design of God. Our freedom is not only a\u00a0freedom from tyranny and oppression but it is a freedom for establishing a social order that really works to be a\u00a0community on all levels. The ongoing practice of dialogue, cooperation and a commitment to the common good is\u00a0critical if all are to enjoy the fruits of freedom.<\/p>\n
Independence is a gift to be cherished. It must be accompanied, however, by actions of responsibility that\u00a0express the most fundamental spiritual truth that we are all totally dependent upon the love and mercy of God. \u00a0May God Bless America and help us to live more fully and purposefully as the \u201cLand of the Free and the Home\u00a0of the Brave.\u201d.<\/p>\n
– Msgr. Michael D. McGraw<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Our Fourth of July Independence Day is an appropriate time\u00a0to reflect on the gift of freedom and the responsibility that\u00a0comes along with it. We are so blessed to enjoy the\u00a0freedoms outlined in our United States Constitution and Bill of Rights. \u00a0The expectation of transparency and mutual respect that accompanies\u00a0them helps to create a social fabric […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n