Fr. Mike's Gospel Reflection for - Sunday, July 6, 2025

On Friday, July 4th, we celebrate the 249th “birthday” of our country! Next year, I am guessing that we will have a tremendous celebration for the 250th anniversary of our founding.  Wow, I distinctly remember the “Bi-Centennial” in 1976.  I certainly don’t feel almost 50 years older.  Yikes!

As countries go, the United States of America is relatively young.  Several nations, including Egypt, Japan, China, Iran, and India were established many years before Christ was born.  Of course, these countries and many other long-standing countries have faced periods of conquest, governmental instability, and war.  Our country faced its own period of darkness and uncertainty during the Civil War from 1861 to 1865. Had the outcome of that war been different, we would likely not have achieved our 249th birthday.

Our nation is relatively young when compared to our Church.  If we assume that the Church was founded when our Lord was 33 years old, then our Church is 1992 years old this year.  It too faced difficulty and division.  There were those who tried to eradicate the Church within its first 300 years of existence.  Yet, it has not only survived, but has thrived.  It has been, and continues to be, the largest denomination of Christians in the world. 

One thing that holds the people of a nation (and of our Church) together is a shared set of ideals.  When we celebrate our nation, we must strive to put aside our differences, our prejudices, our dislikes, and our selfishness.  Our nation is bigger and more important than any single issue or agenda item.  It is bigger and more important than any individual.

Paul tells the Galatians that the ideals shared by all early Christians emerged from the “the cross of Jesus Christ.”  Therefore, neither he, nor anyone else, may ever boast EXCEPT in that cross.  The cross is the great unifying force that brought (and continues to bring) together Christians of every race, color and culture.  Paul explains that the cross gave rise to a “new creation” – the Church.  This new creation is of heavenly origin.  Therefore, the Church does not concern itself with earthly concepts like circumcision or uncircumcision.  Those concepts are small, petty, and divisive.  The cross is bigger than life.  It includes, embraces, and welcomes ALL for the greater glory of God.

Fr. Mike