It is customary on this day to celebrate the independence of our country. We celebrate our freedom from foreign rule, tyranny and unjust taxes. We celebrate the fact that we have our own government, our own land and our own laws. But how often do we remember one of the main reasons that the first settlers came to America in the first place? They were being forced to align their beliefs with that of the king and came for religious freedom.
We continue to be blessed with religious freedom today, something that we should never take for granted. Imagine being persecuted or even killed if you wished to continue practicing your Catholic beliefs because our President was Protestant. Just the thought of it seems ludicrous! Temples, basilicas, mosques, synagogues and churches line our streets today because of the freedom our predecessors have won for us, often at the expense of their own lives.
Yet how often do we feel truly free to express our beliefs and proclaim the Gospel? We are enslaved by another kind of captivity: fear. We fear the loss of our reputation, what others might think of us, what others might say about us and just how far God might ask us to go. We fear losing control of our carefully planned out lives if we allow God to use us however He wants to.
Today’s first reading is a perfect example of how God uses the most unexpected people as instruments to perform his work. Amos states: “I was no prophet, nor have I belonged to a company of prophets; I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores. The LORD took me from following the flock, and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’ Now hear the word of the LORD!”
Amos could have refused, just as Jonah did at first. He could have continued tending to his flock of sheep rather than the Lord’s flock. But he didn’t. He may not have understood God’s plan or His reasoning, but he obeyed. He prophesied to Israel as he was told.
We also have the opportunity to allow God to work through us each and every day. Whether it be saying a joyful good morning to our spouse, allowing another driver to get in front of us, smiling at a coworker, or praying for a friend, the Holy Spirit may nudge us in any number of ways throughout the day. He may even ask you to be a missionary, an ordained minister or to consecrate your life to the Lord. The sky’s the limit as long as our hearts are open to God.
Let us rejoice in our freedom today, in all of its forms, and allow God to use us in his service.
Daily Reading
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading 1 Ez 2:2-5 As the LORD spoke to me, the spirit entered into meand set me on my feet,and I heard the one who was speaking say to me:Son…
Saint of the Day
Pope Saint Benedict XI
He was the author of a volume of sermons and commentaries on a part of the Gospel of Saint Matthew, the Psalms, the Book of Job and the Apocalypse.
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