04 Jul [First Wed] Religious Freedom (Mt 22:21) by Bishop Gruss
At that Jesus said to them, ‘Then repay what belongs to Caesar to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.’ ~ Mt 22:21
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Reflection: This day commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776 which announced that the thirteen American colonies regarded themselves as independent states and no longer a part of the British Empire. The United States of America was born. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” What belongs to God are these “certain inalienable rights” endowed by our Creator to each of us – the right to life and religious freedom. Religious liberty, the “most cherished of American freedoms” and rooted deeply in the dignity of the human person, is being eroded. When people are denied and hindered from professing and living their religion or faith, human dignity is offended, resulting in a threat to justice and peace. As Americans whose faith is the driving force of our lives and who believe that faith plays an important role in working for the common good of all, we must intensify our prayers and fasting for a new birth of freedom in our beloved country so that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, as outlined by the Declaration of Independence, will be preserved for all of us.
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Challenge: Today is also First Wednesday, so wear your jersey as a sign of religious freedom and proclaim your faith in unity with our 8,063 teammates in 35 nations.
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Pray LIFE Runners Creed to end abortion. Add Prayers.
* Almighty God, Father of all nations, for freedom you have set us free in Christ Jesus (Gal 5:1). We praise and bless you for the gift of religious liberty, the foundation of human rights, justice and the common good. Grant to our leaders the wisdom to protect and promote our liberties; by your grace may we have the courage to defend them, for ourselves and for all those who live in this blessed land. We ask this through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, our patroness, and in the name of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, with whom you live and reign, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
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Inspiration: “Christ has no body but yours; no hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world; yours are the feet with which he walks to do good; yours are the hands with which he blesses the whole world.” ~ St. Teresa of Avila
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All In Christ for Pro-Life!
Bishop Gruss
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* Bishop Robert Gruss is a LIFE Runner who serves as the bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Rapid City, South Dakota.