A Statue of Responsibility?
“Freedom is in danger of degenerating into mere arbitrariness unless it is lived in terms of responsibility. That is why I recommend that the Statue of Liberty on the East Coast be supplemented by a Statue of Responsibility on the West Coast.”
–Dr. Viktor E. Frankl, Holocaust Survivor
and Author of Man’s Search for Meaning
I think Dr. Frankl would agree with St. Paul who stressed in his letter to the Galatians that the precious God-given gift of freedom must not be confused with a license to be self-destructive or to do harm to others
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free, But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
–Galatians 5:13-15
As we celebrate our independence on the Fourth of July 2025, let us not forget that we Americans, who enjoy unparalleled freedom as a nation, also have unparalleled responsibility to use our freedom for the common good. May this holiday be filled not only with our cherished “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” but also with kindness, compassion, service, and, above all else, love!
Grace and Peace,
Callie