Memorial of Saints
John Fisher and Thomas More, martyrs
(II Corinthians 11:1-11; Matthew 6: 7-15)
As the Fourth of July approaches, Americans think about
patriotism. What might they do for their
country? They may want to display a flag
or to explode firecrackers. But these
acts are superficial. Love of one’s
country entails sacrifices for the good for which the country stands. We have examples of this deep kind of
patriotism in today’s saints.
Saints John Fisher and Thomas More lived in Tudor
England. John was a churchman and
Thomas, a lawyer. They were loyal
subjects of Henry VIII until the king placed himself above justice. They then ceased to serve although they did
not protest publicly. Still Henry
demanded their allegiance and eventually beheaded them for not giving it. Among Thomas’ last words was the proclamation
of patriotism's right order: “I am the King’s good servant, but the Lord’s first.”
Americans will soon have to struggle with the questions
of illegal immigration. Millions of
immigrants have either entered the United States illegally or stayed, again
illegally, beyond the time permitted by their visas. Most of these people have established a home
in the country. They have worked, gave
birth to children, and built strong social ties. Patriotism calls citizens to discern a just
way of resolving their status. It seems cruel
to send the undocumented packing. Yet
law-breaking should not be ignored. Somehow
the undocumented must be penalized without jeopardizing their future.
