by Father James Rodriguez
Happy birthday, America! For 250 years, God has walked with the people of this great nation, founded on the principles of freedom, truth, and justice. In his providence, he has given us readings today that match not only the exuberance of this moment but also provide us, as always, good food for thought as we celebrate.
Through Zechariah, he calls us to rejoice in our freedom. Even the phrase “from sea to sea,” before the Pacific or Atlantic ever bore those names, evokes the great hymn “America the Beautiful,” which will likely ring out in many parishes today. The lyrics praise our country’s natural beauty and admirable ideals, attributing both to God’s generous hand.
The Judeo-Christian foundations of the land of the free are indelible marks of our democratic republic, a response 250 years in the making. The reading also brings to mind an image we focused on 14 weeks ago, on Palm Sunday. God comes as a humble servant, reminding us all to follow his example.
Although we have not imitated our Lord perfectly, as individuals and as a nation we experience each day the call to reach new heights and be a light in the darkness, praising the name of our King and God forever.
St. Paul’s words to the Romans remind us of that high bar that God has set for us. He calls us to be in the world but to not belong to it, to be free not only in a political sense but spiritually as well.
This interior freedom, bestowed on us by God, is the sense we all have when we are tempted and know we have a choice to make. St. Paul’s understanding of the tension between spirit and flesh is something we can all relate to, and, like him, we will choose rightly only when we love rightly, placing God on his rightful throne in our hearts, trusting in his word and the word made flesh.
This begins and is sustained when we approach the altar, where the King awaits us in love. The time we spend with him can break the chains that bind us to this world so that we might live more truly the life he offers.
This share in divine life is an easy yoke, as He says in today’s Gospel. On the surface it seems like a paradox: How can something be both burdensome and light? The reality is that love is exactly like this. Spouses love each other in good times and bad. Parents love their children through the tantrums and worries that come with so much responsibility.
Priests love our parishes despite leaky roofs, temperamental boilers, and the deep problems we help our people bear. Only God’s grace makes any of this possible. He is the inspiration behind any love worth the name, the author of the memories that make us smile, and our steadfast companion in tears.
The struggles and conflicts that pepper both human life and national histories are occasions in which we can turn to the Father, who, in his mercy, guides, strengthens, defends, and protects.
This is the reason for our joy.
This is why we gaze at the night sky through fireworks that mimic battles
of old: Because beyond the lights, there is light.
His victory is our hope.
Father James Rodriguez is the pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church in Rockaway Beach.