July 4 Readings

For July 4, three of the lectionary readings are the following, and the turn us away from a patriotism and nationalism and flag-ism to God. For that I am grateful. On this day we can celebrate freedom both by enjoying it and for praying and working for freedom to grow and flourish and conquer unfreedoms. Especially in our nation.

The Collect

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.

Deuteronomy 10:17-21:

The Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe, who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing. You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. You shall fear the Lord your God; him alone you shall worship; to him you shall hold fast, and by his name you shall swear. He is your praise; he is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things that your own eyes have seen.

Matthew 5:43-48, from The Second Testament

You have heard that it was said, You will love your neighbor and you will hate your enemy.

But I say this to you: Love your enemies and pray for the ones chasing you, so that you become children of your Father in the heavens, because his sun rises on evil persons and the good persons, and it rains on the right ones and the wrongdoers.

For if you love the ones loving you, what wage do you have?
Don’t even tax agents do the same?

If you greet only your siblings, what have you done that abounds?
Don’t even the ethnic groups do the same?

Therefore, you will be complete as your Father, the Heavenly One, is complete.