Jesus calls out to his disciples in the midst of a storm on a boat: “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” In moments of fear, our faith is put to the test. A couple of weeks ago, our reading from Matthew’s Gospel told us to not be afraid. Our faith gives us encouragement, courage, and strength in anything we are going through in life.
As we celebrate our nations independence day today, we celebrate the values on which our nation was founded: the values of democracy, freedom, and liberty. Sometimes it is difficult to keep the commitments we have in our faith, the commitments, duties, and obligations we have as citizens of our country, but a commitment is what God asks of us, and it is all about making priorities in our lives. It is good to link the duties of our faith with the duties of a good citizen, because I think the two go hand-in-hand. In moments when we are afraid, it is good to remember the values on which our country was founded.
I would like to close my homily with a prayer for Independence Day. Let us pray:
On this Independence Day, let us call to mind all those who have sacrificed for freedom that we have in our country, following the example of your Son, Jesus Christ. Let us not take our freedom, both physical freedom and spiritual freedom, for granted. May we always remember that our freedom was purchased with a high price. Our freedom cost others their very lives.
Lord, today, bless those who have served and continue to give their lives for our freedom. With favor and bounty, meet their needs and watch over their families.
Help us to live our lives in a way that glorifies you, O Lord. Give us the strength to be a blessing in someone else's life today, and grant us the opportunity to lead others into the freedom that can be found in knowing Christ. Amen.
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