Reading Francis

If our new American pope, Leo XIV, has a theme in these too-early-for-definition days of his papacy, it is the theme of peace. His first remarks after election began with a call to peace, and he has been a consistent and vocal advocate for peace amidst the growing strife of our decidedly unpeaceful world.

As his predecessor Pope Francis made clear in several statements, America, as the world’s preeminent manufacturer and distributor of weapons of war, is an indirect barrier to peace, and in some instances, our nation is directly engaged in military action. So perhaps this July 4th it is worth asking whether Americans can be peaceful patriots.

It’s probably not a huge number of Americans who go to daily mass on Independence Day. To be fair, it’s not that many American Catholics who go to daily mass at all, and on July 4th, there are travels and cookouts and parades and fireworks shows to interfere. Daily mass is not an obligation for lay Catholics, but an opportunity, and July 4th is a tough one for even some of the most pious among us to attend. Even so, the Church has a range of prayers and Scripture passages chosen especially for mass on Independence Day, and they are compelling.

So here’s what we’re missing, while we’re cooking hotdogs:

Near the beginning of mass, the priest offers a prayer called the Collect. Here are two of the options for the day:

God of justice, Father of truth, 

Who guide creation in wisdom and goodness

To fulfillment in Christ your Son,

Open our hearts to the truth of his Gospel,

That your PEACE may rule in our hearts

And your justice guide our lives.

Or

Father of all nations and ages, 

We recall the day when our country

Claimed its place among the family of nations;

For what has been achieved we give you thanks

For the work that still remains we ask your help,

And as you have called us from many peoples to be one nation,

Grant that, under your providence,

Our country may share your blessings with all the peoples of the earth.

(Both end, “Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.”)

Here’s how the first reading ends, from Isaiah 57:15-19:

PEACE, PEACE to the far and the near, says the LORD; and I will heal them.

And the Psalm, excerpts of Psalm 85 whose response is “The LORD speaks of PEACE to his people,” begins:

I will hear what God proclaims; the LORD – for he proclaims PEACE. 

Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land.

Kindness and truth shall meet;

Justice and PEACE shall kiss.

Then the second reading, from my favorite Pauline letter, Philippians 4:6-9:

Brothers and sisters: Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the PEACE of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of PEACE will be with you.

The Gospel comes from John 14, includes this:

PEACE I leave with you; my PEACE I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. 

Later on in the Mass, here is one of the options the priest has to offer over the bread and wine:

Father, who have molded into one

Our nation, drawn from the people of many lands,

Grant, that as the grains of wheat become one bread

And the many grapes one cup of wine,

So we may before all others be instruments of your PEACE.

And after Communion, he can pray:

By showing us in this Eucharist, O Lord,

A glimpse of the unity and joy

Of your people in heaven,

Deepen our unity and intensify our joy

That all who believe in you

May work together to build the city of lasting PEACE.

As best I can tell, the bishops of the United States created these in the early 70s; some of the prayers were written for the bicentennial in 1976. In recent years, I have found them challenging, moving, striking. They make a compelling case to Catholics (and maybe some others) that we not only can be peaceful patriots, but that this may be the only type of patriotism we are called to be.