For Christians, patriotism is a virtue. Love of country is an honorable thing. As Chesterton once said, if we build a wall between ourselves and the world, it makes little difference whether we describe ourselves as locked in or locked out. But God has made us for more than the world. Our real home isn’t here.

Patriotism. It’s the virtue we celebrate with so many of our fellow citizens today. Patriotism necessarily involves a love of nation and respect for all our fellow citizens. But patriotism is a virtue that compels us to extend our care beyond the borders of our own nations. We pray for peace on earth on this national holiday and we know that peace can only exist when people everywhere are treated with dignity and respect, sisters and brothers all, children of a loving God. The Spirit of ’76 will only be complete when people everywhere on this earth are truly celebrating freedom on the Fourth of July!