Gracious God, forgive us the presumption of believing you to be pleased when your people are free — to decide who governs them, to live as they are and they wish, and, by grace, to devote themselves to your glory and what’s best for all your people. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Photo: Free to cross Fifth Ave. in front of St. Patrick’s Cathedral during a break in the annual Pulaski Day parade on a gorgeous autumn Sunday afternoon in New York City.)