"Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world'." - John 18:36
Hello dear friends in Christ! Today is the fourth of July. Happy Independence Day to the United States of America! It is wonderful to be a citizen of the land of the free and the brave. In this time, especially now, we as Catholics need to come together and pray for our beloved country. It is imperative. With the upcoming elections and so much going on in the world we need to humble ourselves before the throne of God and beg His mercy on us and the USA. On January 19, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI said, "It is imperative that the entire Catholic community in the United States come to realize the grave threats to the Church's public moral witness presented by a radical secularism which finds increasing expression in the political and cultural sphere." Our Catholic faith helps to inspire us all for the protection of human life and the dignity of every soul. Religious freedom in America is a gift. If we can no longer practice our own faith in our own country the common good and the American way of life will be in jeopardy.
This past Friday I went to a huge Mass in our diocese to pray for our country called "Fortnight for Freedom." Bishop Robert Lynch came to our local parish to celebrate the Mass and gave a wonderful homily explaining the dire situation we are currently facing. Even though we are praying that our country will open up to God's Holy Will we also need to be aware that it might not. If this is the case, if America does not have a change of heart, we must take the road less traveled by and continue to stand by God. We need to remember, like Jesus, our home of eternity is not here and not of this world. Ask yourself, am I willing to fight for what is right? Like true servants of Christ we need to flock to Him and take on the battle. You can see throughout history how many saints have suffered martyrdom for the Father in Heaven. Are we, as a country, willing to go that route if necessary? Would you lay down your life for your God? Jesus, who loves us so passionately, died on the cross for us. Could we possibly die for Him as well?
Needless to say, we need to fervently pray that our country will have a change of heart and stand by the Constitution, one nation under God. I certainly believe that America has the ability to change, for the better. But like I said, if it does not, for some reason, we need to pray to God for the strength to endure whatever comes. We need to ask Him for the grace to bare the unbearable and live life in America without fear.
One quote Bishop Lynch shared with us at Mass is from Archbishop Thomas Wenski. He said, "As Catholics, we help people not because they are Catholic, but because we are Catholic." Let us live that message and strive to help America through our prayers and sacrifices so we can become a holy nation.
If you would like to visit the Diocese of St. Petersburg website for the "Fortnight for Freedom" click here. If you would like to view Bishop Lynch's blog post click here. You can also download the PDF version of the Litany for Liberty and pray together with friends and family for America. God bless you on this July 4th and God bless America!!!
