Today, July 4, the Episcopal Church observes Independence Day as a Major Feast of the Church. There are proper Morning and Evening Prayer lessons and Psalms, and a Eucharist is appointed for today. I think it's an excellent thing, in the midst of our fireworks and barbecues, to thank God for that true Freedom we ultimately have, and to use that Freedom for the good of all people.
Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this
country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the
torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant that we and
all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our
liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our
Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
I commend today's readings to your attention. Seems to me the Evensong readings in particular are a bit triumphalist, a la America as Manifest Destiny, even eschatalogical in some ways. One doesn't have to read them in that light of course, and perhaps it's my own disquietude over the state of our affairs as a nation that is coloring my own reading. But see for yourself. Happy 4th!
RFSJ
1 comment:
I concur, as long as we don't have a seventh psalm stretch and are forced to sing (or listen to) Kum-Bi-Yah.
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