Happy 4th of July! I hope you’ll be spending the day with family and, if you’re one of my American readers, reflecting on the founding of this great nation. While I’ve included a link to today’s readings, I want to share something very special today.
Last Sunday when I went to Mass, our closing hymn was America the Beautiful. I got so choked up with emotion that I couldn’t even sing the song. The lyrics are so beautiful, I thought I would share them today. God Bless America!
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America! God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for pilgrim feet,
Whose stern impassion’d stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America! God mend thine ev’ry flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!
O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life!
America! America! May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness,
And ev’ry gain divine!
O Beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam,
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America! God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
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