Fourth of July: One Nation Under God

Yesterday, I took my dog to the vet to get his yearly dose of sedatives for the upcoming Fourth of July NOISY celebration. I love fireworks they make me think of confetti in the sky; but since my little guy came into my life I usually have to opt out of Independence Day night celebrations. A few years ago my friends convinced me to go out. After much persuasion, I felt comfortable leaving him with my parents since I trust they can administer the right dosage to keep him calm. There I was on the coast enjoying the lit sky above the water and I began to wonder how fireworks became part of the Fourth of July celebration? Well for those of you have been wondering – you don’t have to wonder no more. In a letter one of our founding fathers wrote to his wife, he expressed his desire on how future generations should celebrate and remember the day.
John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail:

“It ought to be commemorated as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more…”

Why Fireworks on the Fourth of July? John Adams, that’s why. Our first VP and second president wanted the day commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of our new nation as huge celebration with specific ways to show our patriotism. Today, two-hundred-and-forty-one years later we still connect parades, BBQ’s, games, sports, speeches, guns, bells and fireworks as part of the patriotic customs. Yet, it seems to me like we have forgotten the item President Adams firstly placed on the list: devotion to God. Even I, as a devout Catholic, didn’t really think of Independence Day as a day to pay special tribute to God. In time of need people flood churches and come to God to ask for help – after all, the most popular type of prayer is petition. In fact, to many, prayer is ONLY asking God for things. Periods of prosperity tend to be times when most forget about God just look at the nine lepers in scripture who forget to return and thank God for their healing. In periods of prosperity people tend to leave God out. In this beautiful country in which I have lived most of my life I am well aware of the many blessings we all have. We are worldly known as the country of realized dreams and liberty - a place to pursue happiness. On the Fourth we remember our American pride when we parade in red, white and blue, when we fire our guns and light up the sky- but not many return like that one leper to thank God for allowing us these blessings and freedoms.

This post is not to draw guilt for remembering to plan patriotic holiday festivities and forgetting (like most people myself included) the first item on Adams’ list: “solemn acts of devotion to God.” It’s more a challenge to bring God into your holiday in a special way like:

• Going to Mass and offering it for all the people that work tirelessly to protect our country 
• Praying a family rosary for the needs of veterans and their families 
• Praying for our country’s leaders 
• Offering praise and thanksgiving to God for all the blessings we have in this glorious country 
• Just be thankful.

Our first president wrote a really nice prayer that is quite appropriate for Independence Day:

“Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech you that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.

Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom your Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to your law, we may show forth your praise among the nations of the earth.

In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness and in the day of trouble, do not allow our trust in you to fall; all this we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord.” AMEN!

May your holiday be full of Light and sparkle.