As we celebrate our country’s freedom, let us think about what freedom means to us as St. Michael’s faith community, as Americans and as brothers and sisters to all God’s people.

Bishop Robert Barron, citing Blessed John Henry Newman, says that, to flow wisely, freedom needs a foundation, “What gives a river verve and movement is precisely the firmness of its banks. When those banks are broken down, in the interest of a supposed freedom, the once energetic body of water spreads out into a great lazy lake.”

Humanity has been wonderfully made by God with the potential to create and strengthen those structures and banks that enable the healthy flow of the rivers of life and freedom among all our brothers and sisters.  Are we aware of how important these structures are to ourselves and to the society we are intentionally or unintentionally creating?

As we enjoy our July 4 celebration, let us ponder, “What could and should I be doing to strengthen the foundation of my faith so that my faith may flow into the world with the verve and energy that God intended?”