As we celebrate the anniversary of the founding of our country, our hearts and minds should be ever grateful for the sacrifices made by so many in the past and in the present who placed themselves in harm’s way to secure our freedom.  As on so many occasions in the past, our celebration this year is tempered by an ongoing conflict in the Middle East as well as the threat of terrorism around the world.

I would hope that all of us take some time before our barbecues and July 4th festivities to offer fervent prayers for peace and an end to the violence which stares at us from our newspapers with increasing frequency.  In the Beatitudes, Jesus proclaimed, “Blessed are the peacemakers”.  I admonish each one of us to contemplate the word Blessed as it applies to us because we are children of God.  What better way to give thanks to God for His confidence in us than to heed this particular Beatitude in this time of uncertainty.

May God strengthen our nation and instill within our leaders the courage and skill to work toward peace for ourselves and for our world.