Dear Christ the King family,
I wish you all a happy Independence Day weekend, as our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary! In light of this being a milestone year, I feel compelled to relate this bulletin reflection to the holiday. However, I must confess I feel a little daunted by the task.
The reasons are both personal and situational.
On a personal level, I will admit that I have never felt much of a natural inclination towards the patriotic fervor that often pops up at this time of the year. I’m not claiming this is a virtue, but at least part of this detachment comes from the conviction that I am always a Catholic Christian first and a citizen of a worldly country second, and that this should be so for all who follow Jesus Christ. As remarkable, impressive, and powerful as our country and its history may be, it is of this world, and will eventually give way to the Kingdom of God, just like all nations and worldly powers to whom our Lord came—meek and riding on an ass—to proclaim eternal and everlasting peace among all peoples from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth—to use the prophetic words of Zechariah.
But of course, occupying such an eternal perspective need not prevent one from having a true love of country or from expressing that love. Indeed, I believe it is the only way to accommodate a properly ordered love of one’s country—one that doesn’t fall into the idolatry of nationalism. But here I come to the situational reasons for feeling a bit daunted writing to you on the occasion of the U.S.A.’s 250th birthday: I am conscious of how sadly divided and fragmented we Americans are in this particular moment, precisely on the question of what it means to be patriotic, to love one’s country. Out of curiosity, I recently made a brief investigation into what our nation’s leaders have been doing as they plan the various nationwide events for this sestercentennial anniversary, and it was a stark but (I must say) unsurprising reminder of just how divisive our competing images of patriotism can be. I know these divisions exist within the American Church and our Catholic communities as well. In light of this reality, what can be said in the name of patriotism, without raising the ire of either one side or the other?
Maybe nothing. But maybe Jesus’s words in today’s Gospel give us the answer of what must be said, and what must be heard by us at all times: Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.
We who are united in Christ, who continue to gather together in the Eucharist— in spite of all our differences and disagreements—in order to partake of the one bread and the one cup, must continually learn from Him who is meek and humble of heart. He will show us the way to love. He will show us the way to true peace. He alone can heal our wounds of division. I think this is why the U.S. Bishops are wise to mark this 250th anniversary, not with fancy military displays or other grandiose spectacles, but with a simple prayer, consecrating our nation to His Sacred Heart. I end with an excerpt from this prayer:
O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus:
May our hearts be united to yours, so that our families and communities enjoy peace and happiness; may broken relationships be reconciled, injustices repaired, and the wounds of our land be healed.
May your holy Catholic Church serve as a sign, pointing all people to your infinite love.
O Desire of Nations and Center of History, we ask you to bless these United States of America.
Who live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Fr. Cameron Cortens, CSC
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