Freedom is a privilege earned through people's commitment and dedication to each other.
Today we celebrate our Independence as a nation. If our commitment is strong to our country and its ideals, so must our commitment be strong to our faith. Our faith teaches us to welcome the poor, the homeless, the stranger and the traveler. Our national borders are not open to all. Today as we celebrate our independence let us remind ourselves of our tension to be cautious, but our responsibility to welcome all with open doors and share our gift of freedom.