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 italicized line is the one that made the greatest impression on me as he read it. If we accept that we are free, and can live as free people in our own individual lives, then we must also extend such freedom to others around us. That includes those within our borders and abroad.
Perhaps an even better collect for our times is the one on page 258 in the Book of Common Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of theearth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace:
Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the
strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in
accordance with your gracious will; through Jesus Christ our
Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
It serves us well to remember as we celebrate our journey of independence from the Crown that we are a free nation... but that freedom is not one to be used for our own advantage and do whatever we want but for the good of all people in accordance to God's will. Remember: "God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven." As the "works-in-progress" that we are... let's remember that portion of the Lord's Prayer and recommit ourselves to move our country in the direction of true justice, freedom and peace for ALL people.
1 comment:
I think that we still have a lot of work to do on racism and homophobia and other stuff we never think that we are doing to hurt one another but you are right, God's will be done and maybe we will be better people and a better country. Happy 4th.
Peggins
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