I Lift My Lamp Beside The Golden DoorJuly 20, 2026

I Lift My Lamp Beside The Golden Door

When I was a child, July 4th was always a day of commemorating the blessings of this land of ours. Family and friends gathered to celebrate the freedoms that are ours. With immigrant grandparents, we often spoke of our inalienable rights because they were so precious especially to those who came from lands where life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are not guaranteed. The day was always filled with picnic food (Slovenian sausage grilled to perfection), games, swimming, and always ended with the fireworks viewed from the shores of Lake Erie. Conversations often drifted to the gifts we had here in America as grands talked about these blessings. Though I didn’t have a lived experience of any other way, those days were invitations of gratitude to God as the source of all these gifts. Time passed and created many changes for each one, yet we still gather sharing stories and bonds that are strong and secure. It is that time and those memories that still are the source of my understanding the importance of the American legacy. I often reflect on Grampa explaining why we celebrate this country in which we can choose our leaders, in which we are free to choose how to worship, in which the dignity of each person is paramount and the welcome he received in the USA. I remember singing the songs and flying the flag, central to our celebrations.

These precious days are a part of the fabric of my life. They were and are deeply rooted in my family lore, in the blessing of the America in which I believe and in the leadership, we share in the world.

This year we celebrate 250 years of America. We still gather as families and friends, in cities across the land. We still gather for beautiful fireworks displays and cheer as they fill the skies. We sing and pray that God will continue to bless these United States. But something has changed. What is it I ask myself as I watch the tall ships sail in New York harbor and listen to the music from the New York Philharmonic fill the air around the city. Then I see her. She is still standing there in the harbor. Her torch still held high for all those who enter the harbor. She is still a brilliant white alabaster statue inviting all to come and celebrate with us. Inviting freedom and unity. I hear the clarion call, read the words, and understand what this dis-ease I feel is all about. To underst and invite us all to allow the words that Lady Liberty still calls out to us…

GIVE ME YOUR TIRED,

Who are we asked to welcome into this land? Who are the tired? Will we open our hearts again to the ones enslaved by war, by tyranny, by abuse?

YOUR POOR,

Who are the poor, the hungry, the fearful, the lonely? Are our hearts big enough, generous enough to feed souls and bodies with the gifts from our abundance? Can we again share all that we have so that others may live and thrive?

SEND YOUR HUDDLED MASSES YEARNING TO BREATHE FREE,

Freedom is the legacy of the Declaration of Independence that we celebrate. It is our birthright. Can we share these beautiful human rights, the dignity of all God’s children? Our challenge today is to extend that liberty to our brothers and sisters who long to be free. Can we again live in that graceful way of our God?

SEND THESE, THE HOMELESS,

TEMPEST TOST TO ME,

I LIFT MY LAMP BESIDE THE GOLDEN DOOR…

The sonnet by Emma Lazarus is inscribed with the date the Declaration of Independence was signed, July 4, 1776.

On July 4, 2026, we celebrate these 250 years and with Lady Liberty, and ask how to open the Golden Doors to the poor, the tired, the hungry and the afraid. What is our call to service in the suffering world? What is the new work of today? The question is still haunting our celebrations, the answer elusive. The answer is a work of peace. It is a work of justice. It is holy work moving always toward a unity that is of God. It is our work. The challenge shines brightly in the harbor, on Staten Island, New York. Let us not forget the words and this call to freedom and love for the world.

HOLY ONE, WE CELEBRATE THE GIFT OF FREEDOM AND NEW LIFE BORN INTO THE WORLD ON JULY 4, 1776. WE ASK YOU TO TO LEAD US TO A NEW FREEDOM OF YOUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS. HELP US TO PLANT THE SEEDS OF UNITY AND PEACE EVERY DAY THAT THE WORLD MAY LIVE AND THRIVE IN THIS NEW DAY. HELP US TO BE GENEROUS STEWARDS OF THESE SEEDS THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN US. MAY WE AGAIN OPEN THE GOLDEN DOORS TO THOSE IN NEED. GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. AMEN.

Sister Mary Ellen Brinovec