Worship

One of the greatest of all Americans was Benjamin Franklin. As proof I would like to recall a speech he made in 1787. The Federal Convention was meeting to draw up a Constitution for the United States. Franklin arose to urge that the daily proceedings be opened with prayer. This thought of his should be carved in the hearts of all Americans: "I have lived, sirs, a long time - 81 years - and the longer I live the more convincing proof I see of this truth, that God governs the affairs of men. And 'if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice,' is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured by the Sacred Writings that 'except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.' I firmly believe this. I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel. . . . I, therefore, beg leave to move that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of heaven be held in this assembly every morning before we proceed to business."

There is a thought that needs to be brought home to Americans today - God governs the affairs of men. Without God's help we could not have built America. And, mark it well, without God's help we cannot continue in a free America. But - to have God's help we must pay some attention to Him. As Franklin pointed out, we must implore the assistance of heaven.

Worship, or paying attention to God, is one of the things that belong to God. "Render to God the things that are God's," commands Christ in the gospel. God expects and demands from every thinking person some attention, some recognition, some thought, some prayer, some honor, some homage. Are we acknowledging God, outside of an occasional sentimental singing of "God Bless America"? Thank the Lord for faithful people who come to church every Sunday morning, to pay some attention to Him. In the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass we give perfect worship to the Almighty.

But my principal concern is with what I call the Great American Heresy. I often hear it expressed that Church isn�t necessary. Many people say, �I lead a good, clean life. I provide for my wife and children. I give to charity. Really, I don't need to go to church."

That attitude is just the trouble with the United States today. This complacency is the Great American Heresy, namely, that we can lead a good life, whatever that means, and that we can get along without paying any attention to God, Who has a right to be recognized, Who demands to be recognized. If we believe that God made and still rules the world then we must admit that, as Ruler of the world God must receive reverence and consideration. Call it what you will; I call it worship.

Yet, almost half of America pays absolutely no attention to God. In the United States, a land favored and blessed by Almighty God as no other land since the beginning of the world, there are an estimated one hundred thirty million of His intelligent creatures so ungrateful and forgetful of His goodness as to neglect to pause even for a few minutes on a Sunday morning to assemble in thanksgiving and worship.

One hundred thirty million Americans are disobeying the command of Christ: �Render to God the things that are God's.� They are not giving to God the attention, the worship, and the adoration that belongs to Him.

You cannot be a true American unless you worship God. Our government is built on a belief in the Almighty. Benjamin Franklin and the founders of our nation realized that God rules the world, and God rules America. Furthermore, God demands worship; He demands attention.

Accordingly, when a man says he can live a good life without giving God any recognition or attention, that man is neglecting the most important Person of all - God. We have obligations to God. America's trouble is that it does not pay enough attention to God. One hundred thirty million pay practically no attention to God from one year to the next. Certainly that is not giving to God what is God�s. Certainly that will not bring down God's blessing upon our nation. Certainly that will not benefit the individual or the state.

Those who gather every Sunday morning, are fulfilling the most important duty of an intelligent being, namely, giving glory and honor and worship to the One Who has all things in His Holy Hands - Almighty God. Invite your loved ones, friends, co-workers and acquaintances to worship at your local Catholic Church.

� 2002 � Victor R. Claveau

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"It is the highest duty of religion

to imitate Him Whom thou adorest."

-St. Augustine

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