Dear Parishioners,

This past week, we celebrated the founding of our country. Even though people mainly celebrate Independence Day by hanging out, eating burgers and watching fireworks, it is good to also reflect on why this country was founded. When stating the causes of the American Revolution, people often point out that it was over taxation without representation. However, looking at the Declaration of Independence, we can see that the founding fathers saw themselves as defending their human rights according to natural law. They believed that human beings have rights that cannot be violated by any government because these rights are not granted by the state but are given by God. On the face of it, the British before the war were not doing anything too terrible to the colonies. However, these little infractions against the rights and honor of the colonials pointed to a greater undervaluing of the colonists themselves as a free people.

When we talk about freedom most of the time we talk about freedom from limits. But the form of freedom that the founding fathers talked about and risked their lives for was a freedom to do what is good. They could not have founded this country without their understanding of natural law and basic rights. George Washington reflected on this saying, “Human rights can only be assured among a virtuous people. The general government . . . can never be in danger of degenerating into a monarchy, an oligarchy, an aristocracy, or any despotic or oppressive form so long as there is any virtue in the body of the people.” This should be a big reminder to all of us that our system of government only works if people are striving for virtue.

We need virtue because a democracy is only as good as the people who make up that democracy. Nothing is forcing anyone to do the good other than themselves and their consciences. If we have a people who believe in doing good and trying to become better daily, we will have a more just nation. However, over and over again I am reminded that often we do not do what is good, undervalue the human person, and allow for corruption. When values are undermined, all that is left is force of will. When people care more about what they want than what is for the good, the whole nation suffers.

I love the United States of America so much. It has been such a great force of good in the world and we have so much to be proud of. Are we perfect? No. Were our founders perfect? By no means. But that is why we have to struggle daily against sin and to do what is right. May we continue to make America a great country in our own time and into the future. We must recognize, though, that this is only possible with the help of God.

God Bless!

Fr. Carter