AMERICAN EXCEPTIONALISM: WHAT REALLY MAKES AMERICA GREAT"
“AMERICAN EXCEPTIONALISM”: WHAT REALLY MAKES AMERICA GREAT? (A July 4 th Sermon by The Rev. Canon Dr. Fred Vergara, July 4, 2021, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 130 Jerusalem Avenue, Hicksville, NY 11801) A Filipino immigrant named Jose Dela Cruz just became a naturalized U.S. citizen. He was so happy he phoned his mother back in the Philippines. “Mom, America is a wonderful country and the Americans are a wonderful people. During my oath-taking as a new American citizen, they even sang a song for me,” “And what song is that?,” the mom asked. The son replied, “Oh Jo-se can Jo-see?” Today is Sunday, July 4 th and we commemorate the 245 th American Independence Day. It behooves us also to reflect on the American values that our founding fathers lifted up, values which made America great. The Episcopal Church where you and I belong closely identifies with this nation. Our history as an American Church is inextricably intertwined with American history. I was once priest-in-cha