07/04/2026
Happy Fourth of July.
Today, many will celebrate our nation’s independence and the ideals of liberty, equality, and justice. As I sit here typing this, I have tears in my eyes and a heavy heart because those words feel so far away for so many people.
Yes, I will gather with my family and friends. I will laugh, make memories, and thank God for the blessings He has given me. I never want to take those moments for granted.
But while many celebrate, others are living in fear - hurting, grieving, struggling, or wondering if they belong because of the color of their skin, their gender, who they love, where they came from, the language they speak or what they believe. My heart aches for all of us.
As a Latina, a U.S. citizen, a woman, and someone whose faith teaches me to love my neighbor, I can’t celebrate freedom without also praying for those who don’t feel free. I can’t celebrate justice without acknowledging those who are still searching for it. I can’t celebrate equality while knowing so many still experience discrimination and prejudice.
I have the privilege of serving some of the most stigmatized, marginalized and vulnerable members of our community every day. They remind me what resilience looks like. They remind me that every person carries immeasurable worth and deserves to be treated with dignity, compassion, and love. That is what I choose to celebrate today.
This country can be better. I still believe love is stronger than hate, compassion is louder than fear, and that God calls us to care for one another—not just those who look like us, think like us, or live like us, but everyone.
So today, enjoy your families. Celebrate your blessings. Wave your flags. But also take a moment to pray, reflect, and ask yourself how you can help make liberty, justice, and equality something that everyone can experience—not just something we talk about.
God bless America, and may He continue to soften our hearts, guide our steps, and remind us that we are all His children.
