Anniversaries such as this invite us not only to look backward with gratitude, but also to look forward with hope. They encourage us to ask an important question: What kind of legacy will we leave for those who come after us?

As Christians, we know that freedom is one of God’s greatest gifts. He created us with free will, allowing us to choose the path we will follow. Every day, we arrive at countless crossroads where we must decide whether to seek our own desires or to seek God’s will.

St. Paul reminds us that freedom is never meant to be selfish. In his Letter to the Galatians, he writes: “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence; rather, serve one another through love.” (5:13)

Our culture often defines freedom as the ability to do whatever we want and get whatever we can. The Christian understanding is much different. True freedom is the ability to choose what is good, what is right and what leads us closer to God and to salvation. As the Scottish theologian William Barclay once observed, “Christian freedom does not mean being free to do as we like; it means being free to do as we ought.”

When we freely choose to trust God, to follow Christ and to place ourselves at the service of others, we discover the freedom for which we were truly created. St. Augustine captured this beautifully when he wrote, “To serve God is perfect freedom.” Only when we act in the manner in which we have been created, in the image and likeness of God, in imitation of Jesus, will we have become truly free.

To mark our nation’s 250th birthday, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops consecrated the country to the Sacred Heart of Jesus during a special Mass at its June Plenary Assembly in Orlando, Florida. The bishops intended this profound event to be a catalyst that would inspire parishes and individuals to participate in the America 250 commemoration by collectively contributing 250 hours of adoration and/or 250 works of mercy. I encourage everyone to consider this call to pray for and to serve others, especially those most in need. Do what you can to adore our Lord in the Eucharist and serve our Lord present in those in need.  Use your freedom to do good for others. The works of mercy can include activities such as feeding the hungry, supporting crisis pregnancy centers, visiting the sick, assisting refugees, tutoring children, or volunteering with any of the many ministries throughout our diocese.

In his encyclical Dilexit Nos (“He Loved Us”), Pope Francis reflected that when we contemplate the pierced heart of Christ, “We, too, are inspired to be more attentive to the sufferings and needs of others.” The more we encounter the love of Christ, the more we are moved with freedom to share that love through acts of kindness, service and mercy.

Perhaps that is one of the greatest ways we can celebrate this historic anniversary — not simply by remembering the past and honoring our heroes, but by building a future rooted in faith, charity and hope. The generations that came before us laid the foundations of this nation through courage, sacrifice and trust in God. We honor their legacy and build on their shoulders by doing the same in our own time.

May we use the freedom God has given us wisely. May we choose the path that leads us toward him and toward one another. And may our lives help build not only a stronger nation, but also the kingdom of God on earth and in our great country.

May God bless you and those you love.