Independence Day – Jul 04 – Homily – Fr Terrance

 

Fr Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN on Jul 04, 2023, independence day USA, on how we find true independence is by being dependent on God through prayer and charity.

Today, on Independence Day, we commemorate our freedom from foreign rule, symbolized by the 150-foot Statue of Liberty, a beacon of hope gifted by France. Freedom and liberty are often conflated, but we must remember that every person is inherently free, possessing the ability to choose, love, or hate, a gift of free will bestowed by God.

However, the modern definition of freedom often leads to radical autonomy, where power becomes the goal to enforce personal beliefs on others, disregarding natural laws and the dignity of man. This can result in a miserable life, similar to an astronaut drifting aimlessly in space. True freedom is found in discovering a savior and purpose in life, mirrored in the life of French actress, Ève Lavallière.

Lavallière, despite her fame, wealth, and worldly life, found true happiness only after her profound spiritual transformation, following the reading of a book about Saint Mary Magdalene. She embraced suffering as atonement for her past and dedicated her life to loving God, finding immense joy in it. She proved that true freedom comes from living dependently on God, not independently.

Without Christ, one risks becoming so deluded to not recognize fundamental truths, like the difference between male and female. We must choose to be children of light and liberty, to fight for truth, sharing the gospel, suffering with Christ and leading a life filled with charity and prayer. Accepting this calling, like Lavallière did, brings true happiness and freedom. Let us seek freedom and love in the arms of Our Lady, the real Lady Liberty, her Son, and our Heavenly Father.

00:00 - Introduction
00:19 - Symbol of Liberty: The Statue of Liberty
00:49 - Concepts of Freedom and Liberty
01:36 - Radical Autonomy and Its Impact
02:14 - The Role of Laws and Morality
02:39 - Atheistic Communism
03:08 - Spiritual Orphans: The Cost of Radical Autonomy
04:02 - Finding True Freedom through God
04:31 - The Story of French Actress Yves Lavalier
07:12 - Yves Lavalier's Conversion and Discovery of True Happiness
08:33 - Conclusion: True Freedom in Dependence on God

Ève Lavallière - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%88ve_Lavalli%C3%A8re

Ave Maria!

Mass: US Independence Day (an Option) - Opt Mem
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/070423.cfm
1st: 1ki 3:11-14
Resp: psa 85:9-14
Gsp: luk 12:15-21

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=2263

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