I am preparing this reflection on the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, two very strong leaders of a growing church. “I have fought the good fight; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith,” says St. Paul. Together, they needed to be courageous, keep to the message, and not be afraid to speak the truth. Things were not easy at our very beginnings, but staying faithful to the message Jesus taught was the key to the spread of Christianity.
I thought of them as I continued to prepare a retreat for the 4th of July weekend (Saints of Freedom), which is also the 250th Anniversary of our independence. Our founders were courageous people as well. Their fight was for freedom from tyranny. They wanted a government that protected people’s God-given rights. To be clear, freedom doesn’t mean one does whatever one wants; freedom helps us choose what is good and true. Freedom means responsibility. As God-fearing people, our forefathers sought justice for all, protected the vulnerable, and worked for the common good.
In the Declaration of Independence, they reminded us “We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all are created equal; That they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights; That among them are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” Saints like Frances Xavier Cabrini, Elizabeth Ann Seton, and Katherine Drexel devoted their lives to help this dream come true. In their own ways, with whatever means they had, they worked hard to live and speak the gospel message to all, especially the marginalized. History teaches us that times were very challenging for them and others, but they kept their eyes on the prize. “I have fought the good fight; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith” because “We are all created in the image and likeness of God.”
This made me stop and think. How do I define freedom? Do I respect those I encounter? Do I take the responsibilities of freedom seriously? Am I truly living the Gospel Message? Am I running the good race, keeping the faith? So, as we watch the fireworks on the 4th and participate in picnics and family gatherings, keep in mind we have responsibilities that go along with the freedom we are celebrating.
Till next week,
Sister Theresita
