Something to Think About on this Independence Day

A couple of times a week, Sister Jane Remson from Bread for the World New Orleans sends out a reflection entitled "Think About It -Pray About It -Act on It" to members of her list in Louisiana and elsewhere.  I am posting this note that she sent out to commemorate Independence Day, followed by a prayer posted in Sojourners' Verse and Voice.

On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. As always, this most American of holidays will be marked by parades, fireworks and backyard barbecues.

Some interesting facts by the USDA and US Census Bureau of the amount of food that will be consumed across the USA this 4th of July:

2.5 million - the estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation in July 1776.

316.2 million – the nation’s estimated population on this July 4th.

$3.8 million – the dollar value of US imports of American flags ($3.6 from China).

65.9 million – the estimated number of pork hot dogs and sausage.

6.3 billion pounds – the estimated beef for hot dogs, burgers and steaks

$1 billion – the value of chicken production for barbecued and fried chicken.

523 million hundredweight (cwt) – amount of potato salad.

Lord, help me to remember those who have no food to eat today and all those who struggle to provide food for their families. Bless those who have served and continue to give their lives for our freedom. Amen -a prayer by Jane Remson, O.Carm

Almighty God, all the riches of the world are made by you for our common use, and by nature not one of them belongs to one human being more than to another; direct us, we pray, that all things may serve all people. Amen. - Adapted from a prayer of St. Anselm of Canterbury  (from Sojourners Verse and Voice for July 3)