WHY Did The Founders Close The Declaration With A "Mutual Pledge of their Lives, Fortunes and Sacred Honor"!?
Here's why and Happy Independence Day!
Greetings and Happy Independence Day, my fellow 'Muricans!
I have been asking the question all week, "why did the Founding Fathers add the final, fraternal piety line to The Declaration of Independence!? You know this one…”
"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."
I believe I have come to understand their motivation now: friendship, proximate, Christian, friendship as Our Lord commands us to practice today.
"A new commandment I give unto you: That you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another."
I believe that somewhere in the hearts and souls of those 56 men, this imperative from Our Lord was dwelling and because they were seeking a unifying cause for what is basically a Declaration of war, they turned to the highest authority there is always shall be.
Perhaps we can ponder this musing of mine as we celebrate Independence Day and love our families, friends and yes even our enemies.
Consider this as well. Today, 04 July, is in the Octave of Saints Peter and Paul and so their Mass can be celebrated today as can the Mass for all Holy Popes. The vestments for that day are red. In the epistle reading for the Holy Popes Mass, from Hebrews 13 we read an apostolic exhortation for the new republic being formed, had only the Founders heard and heeded it (there was but 1 Catholic who signed the Declaration, can you name him?*).
For we have not here a lasting city, but we seek one that is to come. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise always to God, that is to say, the fruit of lips confessing to his name. And do not forget to do good, and to impart; for by such sacrifices God's favour is obtained.
It’s not too late, nor is it ever, to pick up the mantle of Christ, i.e. Christendom and devote our hearts, minds, bodies and souls to that beau ideal that the Founders mostly bypassed 247 years ago today. I say mostly because in my adult lifetime, that effort is more en vogue today than ever; thus, today, we can thank the Founders that their “republic” had enough residual Grace in it from its Christendom roots, that it burned long enough for what I’m testifying of, to occur. Now, that’s a good thing that most who could be made aware of it, will cynically dismiss it as some sort of “pipe dream… pie in the sky” silliness. Yet we know, nay we believe, through Our Lady and Our Lord, anything is possible, so let us be merry and keep Hope of New Christendoms alive! And please note. The devil hates our joy and this day isn’t his! Viva Libertatem!
Also, 16 years ago today, on The Sirius Patriot Channel, a cast of 10, aging radio guys, 2 children and yours truly made some history of our own by telling our version of the Founding Father's struggle for Independence in "The Road To Independence". We are offering it up today, FREE OF CHARGE on The CRUSADE Channel, I pray you'll give it a listen.
Show times are 6:00am, 9:00am, Noon, 3:00pm, 6:00pm and the finale just in time for fireworks at 9:00pm!
I wish all of you a Blessed Independence Day!
Mike Church
King Dude you are still Awesome.