Weekly Reflection 7/5/2020

REFLECTION

The Fourteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time

July 4-5, 2020

This weekend, as a nation, we celebrate the day we officially declared our independence from Great Britain. Thomas Jefferson, as author of the Declaration, penned,

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

Yet, the freedom and rights for which Jefferson wrote was only for free white males of property. In some colonies you also had to be protestant to be afforded such rights. This country was born in bloodshed and its leaders were those who espoused war and rebellion.

How ironic then, that today’s readings speak of a much different leader and nation. The prophet Zechariah described our Savior King as someone who will banish weapons and proclaim peace to all nations. This kingdom would endure forever to the ends of the earth. .Likewise, the Responsorial Psalm praises the Lord who rules with mercy, kindness and compassion.

In the Gospel, Jesus, being one with His Father, shows us an example of the greatest leader; one who comforts and serves His people. This leader is meek and humble of heart. Christ encourages us to learn and join with Him, for His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

As Americans and Christians, we are far from perfect but we strive to reach the great ideals on which our faith and country have been founded. Let us declare that we hold these truths to be self-evident;

That all people are created equal,

That we shall love our God with all our hearts and

That we shall love our neighbor as ourselves..

And for support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on our Lord, we mutually pledge our lives, our talents and our sacred honor.

Patrick J. Perkins