And You Shall By My Witnesses

Holy Mary, pray for us!

We celebrated the Feast of the Ascension and look forward to the coming of the Advocate promised by Jesus to those gathered on the mountain prior to His Ascension. While Pentecost is the culmination of the Easter Season--from resurrection until the ascent of the Holy Spirit--it is significant in the life of every disciple as we realize the Power of the Advocate to empower, guide, and send us out to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel.

Being a disciple should never consist of a life lived quietly and privately, but rather, with zeal and conviction. We live in perilous times. Our religious freedoms are being attacked. Today, Catholic institutions, agencies, and dioceses across the nation filed 12 lawsuits challenging the Federal Health Care mandate on the grounds of First Amendment violations (right of freedom of religion).

I wonder what our founding fathers would say if they were here today? The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Amendments lay out the blueprint for our nation. Focusing specifically on the First Amdendment, we read:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress grievances.

What this guarantees is the the government cannot impose a 'religion' upon its people or restrict the practice thereof. Somehow, this definition and right has been hijacked. We live in times where "tolerance" has given way to the ursurping of rights. Being "politically correct" is more important that professing truth. The dignity of the human person has given way to justify any action that makes us "happy" which is defined individually, with little thought or regard to those who our "happiness" affects. Rights are trampled. Politicians listen to special interest groups and lobbyists more readily than the citizens who elected them.

I have great faith that the American spirit, however, will not be silenced, any more than the disciples whose hearts were enflamed by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. That same Spirit lives in the hearts of those baptized with water and the Holy Spirit--in the hearts of those who call Jesus their Savior. Now is the time for all disciples to find their voice, speak out, and profess with the love, zeal, and conviction of the Apostles, early disciples, saints, and martyrs. The message must be loud and clear--witnessed through their love for God and belief that one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all, is more than a historical note, but the country that is land of the free and home of the brave!

Check out the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop's site for more information on the law suits and initiatives, including the Freedom Rallies on June 8 and Fortnight for Freedom activities. Go to:

http://www.usccb.org/index.html

for more information. Let us pray that we may be guided by the Holy Spirit. Immaculate Mary, Blessed Mother and Patroness of our country, pray for us.