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.
As we consider the independence of this nation …
Our prayer book allows for, has
propers
[scripture readings assigned] for this day, this national holiday.
This the Collect of the day …
Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The tenets on which we believe our country was founded; life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all. Those words are dear to our hearts and yet we know this ideal falls far short. Maybe not far from how the founding ‘fathers’ imagined those words in their narrower ideal of ‘men’ but I believe far from the notions of emancipation imagined in the struggles of Israelites and the teachings of Jesus.
I believe beloved, we want these words from 244 years ago to be true. I also believe beloved that we people of faith support the ideal of these words. It aligns in its language to our own
baptismal covenant
.
Freedom
can’t be just another word – it has to be the word. As those committed to follow love, to follow Jesus, freedom is what we seek; the good above all goods. The freedom that comes from a life of service to others; to deep listening to God and then acting in response to our relationships with God and others.
This 4
th
of July I pray you are safe and that you pray a bit, or more, about the freedom afforded you and how we can more further extend the freedom of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness to all our neighbors.
July 4
Rev. Alison
