The Truth Shall Set You Free!
Jesus came on earth to teach the truth, and he
said, “The truth will set you free.” (John 8:32) The basic truth that Jesus taught is
that every individual has value and every individual has worth. At the time of
Jesus, that idea was revolutionary. No one dared to think or imagine such a
thing. The social and economic structure of the day was based on clear lines
of discrimination. Some people were important; others were expendable. A few
people had supreme rights, others had a few rights, and some had no rights.
The slave was seen as chattel to be used, abused, bought and sold at the
discretion of the owner. To a lesser extent, the same was true of men and
women, parents and children. Men were more important and had more rights than
women. Parents were the owners of their children and could do what they liked
with them. Into that kind of socio-economic system Jesus was born. He came
believing, teaching and treating every individual with dignity and respect. In
the eyes of God, every person was very special. This idea started a
revolution, which the world has not been able to escape. In just a few years,
St. Paul could write, “In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor
free, male or female. All are one in Christ.” (Galatians 3:28) Such words were
powerful. A profound change was underway; and it continues to this day.
People everywhere are demanding dignity and freedom. This idea, which changed
the world, started with the teaching of Jesus on the dignity and value of every
human being.
Throughout history, as people came to
realize this truth, they have sought after freedom so that they could live in
dignity. They sought social, political, economic and religious freedom. Our
forefathers who came to this land came seeking those freedoms. On the Fourth
of July we celebrate those freedoms. We recall the Declaration of Independence
and pledge our allegiance to the United States of America, and all it stands
for, “With liberty and justice for all.”
As we rejoice and give thanks for our freedoms, we know that they are costly, and each generation must pay the price. Today our young men and women in the Armed Forces are serving the cause of freedom and peace, especially in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. We can support them by our prayers and support the families of those soldiers who live in our communities.
As God said to Abraham: “I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and in you shall all the families of the earth be blessed.” (Genesis 12:2) Individually and collectively the same words have been spoken to us. We hold a great trust, a promise of hope, and a destiny to be a “city on a hill” giving light and hope to all peoples.
Independence Day Prayer
Father all powerful and every-living God, we do well to sing your praise forever, and to give you thanks for all we do through Jesus Christ our Lord. He spoke to men a message of peace and taught us to live as brothers and sisters. His message took from in the vision of our fathers as they fashioned a nation where men might live as one. This message lives on in our midst as a task for men today and a promise for tomorrow. We thank you, Father, for your blessings in the past, and for all that with your help we must yet achieve. And so with hearts full of love, we join the Angels today and every day of our lives, to sing your glory, in an endless hymn of praise…Holy, Holy, Holy – Lord God of Hosts…
[From: The Preface for Independence Day Mass]