Which means that in the USA there are fireworks and celebrations. While I am proud to be a citizen of the USA, I have to admit that I have my doubts and reservations about the direction in which the 'noble experiment' of republican democracy has taken this country. I listened to a multiperson reading of the Declaration of Independence this morning on NPR - the words rolled, and I was struck by the many references to God, Deity, Divinity, etc. Still, I wonder how many of the flaws in our national character grew from that spirit of rebellion and self-determination.
Some where else today, I heard a comparison between the French Revolution and the American Revolution. Alexis de Tocqueville's Democracy in America was mentioned, and I went hunting for a copy (the internet is a great treasure trove) and I found this interesting quote in a chapter on Roman Catholicism:
One of the most ordinary weaknesses of the human intellect is to seek to reconcile contrary principles and to purchase peace at the expense of logic.
Bingo!
Purchasing peace at the expense of logic - isn't that what we have done so many times in this and the last century? Following the cult of moral relativism, the cult of radical autonomy, the worship of self-esteem, self-actualization, me me me?
By way of contrast, today is also the optional memorial of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. He died July 4, 1925, of polio probably contracted from one of the poor he routinely attended. If you are suffering from malaise (as I have been lately) go read about Blessed Pier Giorgio. I think that I would rather celebrate his heavenly birthday than that of the USA lately.
None the less, we will be having a small barbeque. I managed to locate a 2 lb tri-tip roast and we will have a Santa Maria style meal. And the last of the local strawberries we picked this weekend will have their time of glory as strawberry shortcake. ( I also made 9 half-pints of jam). The rhubarb has been adversely affected by the weather and I only had a few bites so far. Our peach tree tried valiantly but some insect managed to devour all but one of the baby peaches. My garden is not happy, and neither am I. But at least we have some goodies from the CSA.
We won't go looking for fireworks - I may turn on the TV and listen to some fireworks music - maybe the broadcast from DC, maybe the Boston Pops. We'll see. And then, tomorrow, back to the daily grind.
Hope that you all have had a reasonably good weekend.
Hey, we are members of a CSA too!
I agree, this was an odd Fourth as I wasn't too pleased with some things to celebrate either.
I will read up on the modern saint you mentioned
In Christ,
Michelle
As the color guard went by during the parade yesterday, I was brought to tears. I admired what the men marching by (all vetrans) had done for our country. But as the flag approached, and everyone stood up, I did so with a heavy heart. I am afraid of what our country is becoming, and felt a little half hearted as I honored the flag this year. I appreciated your post, to see I am not alone in the reservations about the direction our country is headed.