For the past few years, on the Fourth of July, I’ve shared a video on various social media networks that Norman Lear produced in 2001 featuring several actors reciting the Declaration of Independence.

This year, however, I found myself hesitating before posting it.

With the disappointing tone and frustrating actions of the current administration in Washington, and with an increasing level of political pettiness at the local and state levels of government, I find myself feeling a growing sense of ambivalence. When I remember that today is the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, my reaction is mostly a weary, “Yippee. What’s next?”

But when I pulled up the full version of the video today, something Morgan Freeman said in his introduction hit hard. After pointing out that Thomas Jefferson owned slaves, and that Black people and women were not a motivating factor in what these white men were doing, he said:

Why, some may ask, why do I bring up such embarrassing truths on this glorious occasion? I answer: the real glory of the Declaration of Independence has been our nation’s epic struggle throughout history to close the gap between the ideals of this remarkable document and the sometimes painful realities of American life.

The Declaration symbolizes the birth of our nation, of course, but also the constant struggle to achieve its ideals.

Just before I watched the video, as I was praying Morning Prayer from the Liturgy of Hours, I also opened up my copy of the Book of Blessings and turned to the prayer for Independence Day, which reads:

God, source of all freedom,
this day is bright with the memory
of those who declared that life and liberty
are your gift to every human being.
Help us to continue a good work begun long ago.
Make our vision clear and our will strong:
that only in human solidarity will we find liberty,
and justice only in the honor that belongs
to every life on earth.
Turn our hearts toward the family of nations:
to understand the ways of others,
to offer friendship,
and to find safety only in the common good of all.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen

There is much to fix in the United States of America. This country is far from perfect.

But thanks, in part, to the courage of those men who voted for these words and later signed a piece of parchment 250 years ago, and with the help of God, we have a chance to continue this good work and truly make this country a more perfect union.

So friends, enjoy this year’s posting of Lear’s video on the Declaration of Independence.

And Happy Birthday, America!