As
we invoke our prayer and song of God Bless America and God Bless Me, what
miracle are we expecting God to provide for us and for our country?
A
miracle is an unexpected gift given by God. We have all received the
first miracle—and that is life itself. He gave us life and our countries forefathers
promised us the freedom of religion—the freedom to believe in Jesus and to walk
in Jesus’ footsteps as he asks us to walk: to give life as he gave life; to
love as he loves; and to forgive as he forgives.
Blessed
Pope John Paul II said: “The challenge facing you, dear friends is to increase
people’s awareness of the importance of religious freedom for society; to defend
that freedom against those who would take religion out of the public domain and
establish secularism as America’s official faith.” Baltimore, Oct 8, 1995
As
Pope John Paul II said we must DO something to protect the miracle God has
provided.
We
must ACT to defend life. We must ACT to defend our freedom to choose God. And
we must ACT out the faith we profess.
God did not make death, nor does he
rejoice in the destruction of the living. For he fashioned all things that they
might have being; and the creatures of the world are wholesome, and there is
not a destructive drug among them nor any domain of the netherworld on earth, for
justice is undying. For God formed man to be imperishable; the image of his own
nature he made him. But by the envy of the devil, death entered the world, and
they who belong to his company experience it. Wis 1: 13-15, 2: 23-24
God
gave us free will – and that freedom means we can choose what we will believe,
what we will honor and how we will practice our faith. Will we CHOOSE LIFE—the very
life that he created in his own image?
Will
we choose to honor his design and plan for marriage: the union of one man and
one woman – “God blessed
them and God said to them: Be fertile and
multiply; fill the earth and subdue it.* Genesis 1:28.
God
also did not make death. We chose death in the original sin of Adam and Eve.
And then God gave us his only son, Jesus, to free us from that sin by His gift
of the greatest of miracles: a gift of suffering; a gift of sacrifice, and a
gift of redemption—eternal life.
"Your daughter has died; ... he
said, "Do not be afraid; just have faith." ..... So he went in and
said to them, "Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but
asleep." And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along
the child's father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room
where the child was. He took the child by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum," which means, "Little girl, I say to you,
arise!" The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At
that they were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders that no one should know
this. Mk 5: 35-43
Faith
is not: “believing if we see”—faith is “believing what we cannot see.” Miracles
were not given so that we would have faith; instead they were given to those OF
faith.
Currently the USA professes the freedom of
religion (many other places in this world are persecuted just for their
beliefs). But will we always have that freedom? Many Americans believe we are a
“protected nation” built on God—but does God see us that way?
As
Americans we have more wealth and more food than any other country. Do we share
it, or waste it? Am I doing my job to serve others and giving freely of my gifts,
time and talents? Do I serve my spouse, my family, the poor or needy? Or do I
complain that I didn’t get enough for myself? What miracle are we expecting God
or someone else to do for us?
Do Americans
value entertainment more than we value God? We choose to attend and watch movies,
sporting events, and concerts by the millions (and worship musicians, athletes
and movie stars)—while our church pews grow emptier and emptier. If we don’t worship God and honor him with our
presence; if we don’t put God first, then why would he put us first? Why are we
expecting a miracle?
Do our laws reflect a new form of equality—an equality
that lets us CHOOSE whether a life is worth living, surviving or even being
born; laws which define marriage as something other than one man and one woman
(only a man and a woman can multiply). Are we creating laws to protect an
equality that God didn’t promise or design? Are we expecting that God will miraculously
change unjust laws?
We are
in the final days of the US Catholic Bishops Fortnight for Freedom. These 14
days of prayer, worship and study were brought about partially because of the impending
HHS (health and human services) mandate brought about because of the health
care bill (that ALL employers will be forced to provide health insurance
coverage which guarantees abortion and contraceptives). This forces all employers,
from Catholic hospitals to small Christian business owners, to provide health
services which violate their religious beliefs. www.usccb.org
“O God our Creator, through the power and working of your
Holy Spirit, you call us to live out our faith in the midst of the world, bringing
the light and the saving truth of the Gospel to every corner of society. We ask
you to bless us in our vigilance for the gift of religious liberty. Give us the
strength of mind and heart to readily defend our freedoms when they are
threatened; give us courage in making our voices heard on behalf of the rights
of your Church and the freedom of conscience of all people of faith.
Grant, we pray, O heavenly Father, a clear and united
voice to all your sons and daughters gathered in your Church in this decisive
hour in the history of our nation, so that, with every trial withstood and
every danger overcome— for the sake of our children, our grandchildren, and all
who come after us—
this great land will always be "one nation, under God, indivisible, with
liberty and justice for all." We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.” (Prayer for the Protection
of Religious Liberty, www.fortngight4freedom.org
)
May
each of us Go Forth, spread Your good news and BEcome the miracle, instead of
expecting to receive a miracle.
And
may God continue to bless America with the freedom of religion,
Charlotte
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