In July, still remembering the birth of our nation, there are thoughts of Patriotism and what it means for us today.

Regarding the past, as we do on our nation’s birthday, it is a time to thankfully remember those who have gone before us, who paved the way for us.

Many of the benefits we enjoy today, from the first freedoms for which our revolutionary war was waged, to the more recent benefits, have come from the further development of those values and the way they have been refined even in our own times.

In his parables, Jesus used images from agriculture, images about shepherds and sheep, also images about grain farming. The Sower and the Seed, the Weeds, the kinds of soil or ground upon which the seed may fall and how it would affect the growth or the harvest.

Although it wasn’t mentioned in the terms of these parables, another ingredient is taught by Jesus’ actions. Along with he sending of the twelve, Jesus sent a further 70, (some translations and ancient texts say 72). St. Luke speaks of these in chapter 10.

These were sent ahead of him to towns he was yet to visit, to announce that the kingdom of heaven was at hand. Their mission was like the mission of John the Baptist, who was to “prepare the way,” these were sent to prepare the soil for the sowing of the seed.

They were told of a bountiful harvest. However, to last for a long time, the soil must be prepared more than once. It is done over and over each year to secure a better harvest.

The same can be said about our culture, our communities and our nation. While it is good to be grateful for the past, we also have a duty to the future.

Before the birth of our nation, the patriots of the past prepared the soil with the values and beliefs they carried about the dignity of the human person, both individually and as a people.

Those values can’t be taken for granted. The soil must be prepared again every year before the sowing of the seed.

As we celebrate the heroic deeds of those who have gone before us, it is good that we ask ourselves, “What were the values and beliefs that inspired those actions?” These are the values and beliefs we want to cultivate in the hearts of those who will be the builders of our nation in the future.

The very young learn more by observation than any other way. If they see the values that built our nation evident in us, they will choose the same for themselves and they will secure the future for many after us.

Pastor Fr. William Hodgson is the priest at St. Edward Catholic Church in Cassville. He may be reached at 417-847-4948 or stedwardcassville@gmail.com.