Interdependence DAy

First of all, it is honor to preside the Eucharistic celebration for this special occasion called Independence Day. At the same time, I feel little burdened to be in the position to preach the gospel in light of American national holiday because there would be a certain gap between my knowledge of American history and your life built on it. Nevertheless, I see there would be a converged point where God has revealed the value of Independence and beyond.

Since I came to the United States, I have found something very different about the country which I would be never able to discover unless I came here. To many outsiders, the most affluent country could be not an ideal place to live because of its materialism, secularism and individualism. Celebrities in Hollywood that many people outside believe that they represent the country has given a wrong impression such as hedonism. No wonder why many outside the country often see the country in the negative point of view because of the bad influence of the media. If we believe in the statement that no country is an island, it is not a problem for a country but for all.

However, it is not all true. I have met so many great people in America who are compassionate to other’s happiness and who are filled with zeal to build the faith-based country. These great people are not just satisfied with being Americans; rather, they strive to be world citizens. They have not just fought for independence; they live in accordance with interdependence—the new reality that has defined who we are, especially Catholics that literally means universal believers. 

When Pope Benedict 16^th visited the country and addressed the United Nations General Assembly, he emphasized the duty to protect, the responsibility to uphold human rights even if it means overriding national sovereignty, promoting solidarity with most vulnerable regions of the world. In listening to the address, I realized that I could testify the universal believers who have already lived the duty to protect in the United States and live among us now. 

Dorothy Day founded the Catholic Worker that has dedicated themselves more than seventy-five years in New York City in serving the homeless with a soup and bread every day and advocating human rights in accordance with the social justice of Jesus Christ. They are truly Catholics who know their dependence on God as well as their interdependence on others while many celebrate their independence in self-satisfaction. And I have been also witnessing so many generous hearts that have helped the vulnerable of the other countries in case of Tsunami, the hurricane and the earthquake through Catholic Relief Services. I believe this is the power and the spirit of the United States. As the pope said, this is a land of great faith. So, on Independence Day, I invite you to celebrate something bigger and beyond to which we Catholics are called. Our independence will shine forth if we know our interdependence with one another and take a poignant role to lead others as the land of great faith. God bless America!