Patriotism
Patriotism is a virtue. It is our duty to cultivate the good habit of patriotism, thanking God for the land of our birth, devoted to the common good of our nation.
Patriots exercise the loyalty and respect proper to one’s own nation, one’s own people. It is part of God’s Fourth Commandment: to honor one’s father and mother. The word “patriot” comes from the Latin word for “father,” pater, and we rightly call the land that gave us birth and sustenance our “Fatherland.”
In a particular way, Americans show respect to their President, to members of Congress, and to the nine justices of our Supreme Court. St. Paul urges us in 1 Tim 2:2: “that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered … for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. This is good and pleasing to God our savior….”
On Memorial Day, we pray for our military, those entrusted with preserving freedom through a prudent application of justice, using force if necessary to maintain a just peace. It would be false patriotism to insist that America is always right, or to throw our military might around the world, taking what we want from others. Our military is essentially a peacekeeping force, and we are truly grateful for their commitment to justice and peace on behalf our country and all nations.
It is for those soldiers who have died to preserve justice and freedom that we pray on Memorial Day. Jesus says in the Gospel today, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” A good soldier is one who follows his commander, and knows well that God Almighty is the Supreme Commander. Jesus says again, “no greater love has a man than to lay down his life for another.” We pray for all true patriots who have served our American Fatherland with their lives, and, please God, now live in our eternal and true Fatherland with the Supreme Commander.
At the end of Mass, we will have a 7-minute tribute to those who have fallen in defense of our nation.
Patriotism is a virtue. It is our duty to cultivate the good habit of patriotism, thanking God for the land of our birth, devoted to the common good of our nation.
Patriots exercise the loyalty and respect proper to one’s own nation, one’s own people. It is part of God’s Fourth Commandment: to honor one’s father and mother. The word “patriot” comes from the Latin word for “father,” pater, and we rightly call the land that gave us birth and sustenance our “Fatherland.”
In a particular way, Americans show respect to their President, to members of Congress, and to the nine justices of our Supreme Court. St. Paul urges us in 1 Tim 2:2: “that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered … for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. This is good and pleasing to God our savior….”
On Memorial Day, we pray for our military, those entrusted with preserving freedom through a prudent application of justice, using force if necessary to maintain a just peace. It would be false patriotism to insist that America is always right, or to throw our military might around the world, taking what we want from others. Our military is essentially a peacekeeping force, and we are truly grateful for their commitment to justice and peace on behalf our country and all nations.
It is for those soldiers who have died to preserve justice and freedom that we pray on Memorial Day. Jesus says in the Gospel today, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” A good soldier is one who follows his commander, and knows well that God Almighty is the Supreme Commander. Jesus says again, “no greater love has a man than to lay down his life for another.” We pray for all true patriots who have served our American Fatherland with their lives, and, please God, now live in our eternal and true Fatherland with the Supreme Commander.
At the end of Mass, we will have a 7-minute tribute to those who have fallen in defense of our nation.
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