On July 4, 1776, the
Continental Congress passed the Declaration of Independence. Anticipating the event, John Adams wrote to
his wife, Abigail, this “will be the most memorable epocha in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated
by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the Day of
Deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and
parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from
one end of this continent to the other from this time forward forever
more.” And, 250 years later we continue
to commemorate this “great anniversary festival” celebrating a country founded
on Christian principles and inspired by Divine Providence.
In our first reading
today from Zechariah 9: 9 – 10, the Prophet celebrates another day of liberation;
the day the Messiah arrives. On this
day, there is no pomp or show of force.
The symbols of power will be banished. The Kingdom of Heaven
is announced by a “meek” and “just savior” who proclaims “peace to the
nations.” His dominion stretches from
“sea to sea” and “to the ends of the earth.”
And, approximately 2534 years after this prophecy was made, we still
live in faith and hope that it will be fulfilled.
Jesus tells us in
today’s gospel, Matthew 11: 25 – 30, that citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven
does not depend on being “wise or learned.”
Rather, citizenship in the Kingdom
of Heaven comes to people
who learn from Jesus and imitate him. It
comes to people who are “meek and humble of heart,” those whose minds are open
and accepting like little children. The
Kingdom of Heaven is open to the people who take on the yoke of Jesus
The message today is
that Jesus brings us freedom. Not
freedom from an oppressive government like that which John Adams and our other
founding fathers sought, but freedom from the tyranny of sin, freedom from the
burdens of everyday life, and, ultimately freedom from the fear of death. This freedom offered to us does come at a
price, the price of obedience to the Word of God. St. Peter
wrote, “Be free, yet without using freedom as a pretext for evil, but as slaves
of God. Give honor to all, love the community, fear God, honor the king,” for
“He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin,
we might live for righteousness” (1 Peter 2: 16, 24).
As we celebrate our
205th Independence Day, remember to
give thanks for our secular and spiritual freedom and pray that the Kingdom of
Heaven will be revealed in our lives.
Gracious and loving God,
let your Spirit be with us today.
Hear our prayers,
and increase in us the will to follow your Son Jesus.
Help us to draw on the resources of our faith
as we use the opportunities of our democracy
to shape a society more respectful of the life, dignity,
and rights of the human person, especially the poor and vulnerable.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God forever and ever.
Amen.
