A couple of days ago, July 1, Canada celebrated its Independence Day.  On this day in 1867, Canada officially became independent of the British crown (though still a member of the British Commonwealth), free to pursue its own destiny.  It's cause for much rejoicing.
     Tomorrow, July 4, America celebrates its Independence Day.  It is the day in 1776 that the gathered colonists announced that the thirteen colonies would henceforth be free of the British crown.  Although the pandemic will subdue the celebrations, many Americans will commemorate the day.
     American writer Mark Twain once observed, "Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it."  As we read of mainland China's new restrictions on the residents of Hong Kong, the recent "election" of Russian Vladimir Putin for a term lasting until 2036, and the continuing crackdowns on individual rights in too many other parts of the world, we have new reason to consider the wisdom of Twain's assertion.
     Theologies of God and rulers notwithstanding, in these days of celebrations of "freedom," we do well to realize that although there is not a nation standing apart from the eternal agency of God, it is nonetheless up to us to construct the governments that rule them.
     Freedom is not to reject all commitment and responsibility--that's fatuous--but rather to dedicate ourselves to the greater good of all.