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August 17, 2020
Sister M. Carol Baetz, RSM
Burlingame
As nation we’ve just celebrated the Fourth of July. This flag-waving day, this red-white-and-blue-everything day, ensures this country’s freedom as set out in the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
Fast forward to 1787. The preamble to the U.S. Constitution makes it clear that freedom for the people of this new nation is definitively stated and never to be taken for granted … “to secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our prosperity.”
Here we are in 2020. Really, as a nation, are we free?
I attended a program at Mercy Center, Burlingame, this week. Every Wednesday night the center offers East/West meditation. Individuals from many places click into this free Zoom offering. Appropriately, the program leader, Sister Judy Cannon, gave a reflection on “freedom.” Participants are always welcome to respond with their own reflections. One gentleman from Ireland commented that in this country freedom is individual; by contrast, in his country freedom protects all. Individuals here freely choose not to wear masks. In Ireland everyone chooses to wear masks because all live by supporting the freedom and protection of all citizens. I live so that you can live. I protect you and this country is protected.
Across this nation many events are held without all participants abiding by the rules of social distancing and/or wearing face coverings. In California people flock to beaches to proclaim their “freedom” from rules set for the protection of all. In many states people are boldly flouting the rules set by health care officials to halt the spread of COVID-19.
This is still a young nation. Do we need more time to mature, or have we lost other ideals to our founding fathers such as respect and care for all? Do we understand how easily this virus can be spread?
Do we care to protect our neighbors, our friends, our co-workers and all those who serve us in so many capacities every day? Do we care to protect our nation? Yes, I think we care very much, because deep down, that is really who we are.
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