For the last two weeks we have been praying for the defense of religious freedom together with the whole Catholic Church in our country.<\/div>\n
We are aware that religious freedom was uniquely enshrined in the vision of our country by our Founding Fathers. \u00a0Religious freedom is a central element of the \u2018American experiment\u2019 as Rome has oftentimes referred to the United States since 1776. \u00a0Even Blessed Pope John Paul II referred to the United States as the \u2018American Experiment,\u2019 when praising it, saying that in the United States, \u201cthe vast majority of Americans, regardless of their religious persuasion, are convinced that religious conviction and religiously informed moral argument have a vital role in public life.\u201d <\/p>\n
At Mass today we more specifically pray for the preservation of peace and justice in our nation. \u00a0We pray for unity and harmony between all those who live here, that we may be a society where justice, peace and charity triumph.<\/p>\n
The message of the prophet Amos this morning reminds us of a key point as we stand up for our religious convictions and pray for our society: \u201cSeek good and not evil, that you may live. \u00a0Then truly will the Lord, the God of Hosts, be with you as you claim.\u201d<\/p>\n
We must be guided by our quest for what is Good.<\/p>\n
The transformation of society begins with the transformation of the heart. \u00a0One heart at a time must seek good and not evil, this way each heart will live fully and God will dwell in it. \u00a0Some say this takes too long, we want immediate results, yet conversion happens one heart at a time, conversion is one individual heart having a personal encounter with the Living God.<\/p>\n
At times like these, some folks feel lost and confused, some despair and lose hope. \u00a0Many ask, \u201cWhat will happen?\u201d \u201cIn what direction is our nation going?\u201d \u00a0\u201cWhat will happen to the Church?\u201d \u00a0\u201cWhy so many enemies?\u201d<\/p>\n
In all this, we must remember Jesus Christ has already won the victory. \u00a0There will be battles, there will be trails, there will be persecution and hatred for our message, but in all this, victory is guaranteed.<\/b><\/p>\n
Sometimes we naively get shocked at the troubles the Church faces in society. \u00a0Our duty is to stand firm knowing that not even the powers of hell will prevail over the Church of Christ. \u00a0History gives evidence to this, Sacred Scripture confirms it. <\/p>\n
So we gather today to pray not in despair or having lost hope, but rather with joyful and grateful hearts knowing that Our Good God has already won the victory and allows to share in his eternal victory over evil.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeek good and not evil, and you shall live.\u201d \u00a0May the Lord aid us in our quest for what is good, that His light may shine in us so we may become an instrument to convert the world and bring more souls to Christ.<\/p>\n
May our nation on its independence day reaffirm its founding principle of religious freedom, that we may continue practicing our faith freely and without fear.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
For the last two weeks we have been praying for the defense of religious freedom together with the whole Catholic Church in our country. We are aware that religious freedom was uniquely enshrined in the vision of our country by our Founding Fathers. \u00a0Religious freedom is a central element of the \u2018American experiment\u2019 as Rome […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2533,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-384","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n
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