As we approach the anniversary of our nation’s independence, we express our thanksgiving to God for the blessings of religious liberty, which guarantees that we may freely exercise our religious convictions as individuals and as Church. Our nation was founded on belief in God. The President takes his oath of office by placing his hand on the Bible, the Word of God, and ends with, “So help me God.” In our pledge of allegiance we say, “One nation under God.” Engraved on our money is “In God we trust.” Our Congress has a chaplain, begins each session with a prayer and provides for chaplains for the Military.
 
Our Founding Fathers may have opted for a separation of Church and state but not for a separation of God and state. There is no brotherhood of man without the Fatherhood of God. The division of life into the sacred and the secular is a false dichotomy. There is not now, there never was and there will never be the purely secular, that is, anyone or anything which is not dependent on God.  Yes, there are folks who’d like to do away with any acknowledgement of God in the public square.  But shame on us, if we allow ourselves to be so intimidated by a secular culture that we no longer live our faith in the world.
 
I believe that the Gospel of Jesus Christ calls us to live in solidarity with one another; to seek justice for those who are persecuted and comfort for those who are suffering. I believe the Good News that Jesus wants us to bring to all people is that our God is a God of love.  And as St. Teresa of Kolkata put it so simply, “Love has no meaning if it isn’t shared. Love has to be put into action.”  This is our politics as a Catholic people.  It is God’s politics.
 
I will be celebrating the 4 ^th in Detroit with two dozen priests of the Jesus Caritas Fraternity of Priests from around the country.  However, Fr. John Lyons will be here on Wednesday at 9am to celebrate a special holiday Mass with Ryan Beke providing some patriotic hymns.  So, I hope more than the daily Mass gang will make the effort to attend.  A holiday Mass is always a special gathering and a good way to keep a focus on what is important in life.  Oh, and don’t forget the advice my dear old Dad would give me every year at this time in the days before liquor stores were open on the 4th – Don’t forget to get your 5th for the 4th on the 3rd.  Talk about keeping a focus on what is important in life!
 
For the freedom to love… Give us your grace.
For the freedom to believe… Give us your grace.
For the freedom to hope… Give us your grace.
For the freedom to worship… Give us your grace.
For the freedom to serve in charity… Give us your grace.
For the freedom to care for the suffering… Give us your grace.
For the freedom to comfort the sick… Give us your grace.
For the freedom to feed the hungry… Give us your grace.
For the freedom to shelter the homeless… Give us your grace.
For the freedom to proclaim the Gospel… Give us your grace.
For the freedom to walk in chastity… Give us your grace.
For the freedom to live in peace… Give us your grace.
For the freedom to work in good conscience… Give us your grace.
For the freedom to stand in solidarity… Give us your grace.
For the freedom to seek justice… Give us your grace.
 
O God, who gave one origin to all peoples
and willed to gather from them one family for yourself,
fill all hearts, we pray, with the fire of your love
and kindle in them a desire
for the just advancement of their neighbor,
that, through the good things which you richly bestow upon all,
each human person may be brought to perfection,
every division may be removed,
and equity and justice may be established in human society.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever.  Amen.      Fr. Jerry Ragan