Faith of Our Fathers, Living Still

 Father Pothin's Reflection for July 2, 2017

I was at a community event last night, and the host was Frank. He is a veteran; he came back from the World War II wounded and disabled.  He has carried the price tag of freedom in his own body ever since. He, like so many, purchased and preserved our freedom at great cost. It is a cost they can never forget because they bear on their bodies and their minds the horrors of war. But Frank at least came back. Tens of thousands of others never came back from the many wars our country has fought. Faith of our Fathers.

As we celebrate Independence Day , let’s remember the cost that has been paid to purchase freedom — not just for a nation, but for all people!

There was a war for the entire human race in which freedom for all people was purchased. This freedom was purchased at great cost as well. The symbol of that cost is not a hillside of white crosses or the Tomb of the Unknown or a black wall of names. As precious as these symbols are to those who know them and the people they represent, they do not compare to the symbol of the Empty Tomb. This symbol transcends ethnic and national boundaries. The Empty Tomb is the symbol of the cost of true freedom for all people — the cost of Jesus leaving the security and power of heaven and becoming earthbound and mortal (Philippians 2:5-11.

For us Christian, Independence Day doesn’t come once a year. No, for Jesus’ followers, Independence Day comes every Sunday! The early Christians met on the first day of the week, the Lord’s Day (Revelation 1:10), Sunday, to take of the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7). This was their Independence Day. By the end of the first century, Sunday had become the Lord’s Day. On this day they remembered the Lord’s death and anticipated his return because freedom from death had been won. Independence Day is the day of the Empty Tomb! So as each Sunday approaches, let’s remember the cost of our freedom and give thanks and sing aloud!

Faith of our fathers, living still
In spite of dungeon, fire and sword,
O how our hearts beat high with joy
Whene’er we hear that glorious word!
Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!

–Father Pothin