Having missed out on the Fourth of July festivities last year, this year’s celebration will have added meaning.  Restored will be the traditions of flags and bunting, parades and speeches, family gatherings, and food burned to a crisp on a barbeque grill!  But there’s more.

The history of our Christian faith unfolds like a parade before us.  Jesus, marching across the earthly plain toward a heavenly kingdom, comes to inaugurate a new era of freedom.  He offers to take away our burdens if we come to him.  Do we stand on the sidewalks of life?  Or do we join in the parade and march alongside those seeking liberty – those who struggle under the weight of injustice?

We who live in the United States are blessed with an incredible gift of freedom.  For Christians living in a free land, the best way to celebrate our liberty is to lift every voice and sing, join in the parade, and walk with Jesus as our true compatriot.

PRAYER FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY

God, source of all freedom,
this day is bright with the memory
of those who declared that life and liberty
are your gift to every human being.
Help us to continue a good work begun long ago.
Make our vision clear and our will strong:
that only in human solidarity will we extend liberty and justice
in the honor that belongs to every life on earth.
Turn our hearts toward the family of nations:
to understand the ways of others,
to offer friendship,
and to find safety
only in the common good of all.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen.

Prayer taken from the Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers, Revised Edition, copyright © 2007, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. All rights reserved.

“I grew apart from the church because I thought it wasn’t doing enough for the needy – especially the children – but with Pope Francis it’s different.”

This thought was shared with news media a couple of years ago by Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona who, along with other stars, came out to play at a charity soccer match in Rome supported by Pope Francis.  The interfaith teams, who played for agencies that aid children at risk and to support youth living below the poverty line, were composed of Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus.  What a way to show fraternal concern for young people and, at the same time, to display Christian charity to those of all faith traditions!

Last month, and through the generosity of the parishioners of St. Joseph’s Church – and of those who visit with us for worship – the Parish Outreach Committee donated $1240 from the parish’s charitable assistance account to the Lincoln-Woodstock Recreation Department so that two local children will be able to attend Adventure Camp and Kanc Kamp this summer.

St. Paul tells the Christians at Corinth (2 COR 8:13-15): 

For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich … as a matter of equality your abundance at the present time should supply their needs, so that their abundance may also supply your needs, that there may be equality.