Father Joseph Illo, pastor of Star of the Sea parish in San francisco, gave a 14-minute homily on Sunday, July 5.

Yesterday was Independence Day, but what were we declaring independence from? From the king of England. What were we declaring freedom for? Anything we want? We are not self-made men?

Looking over the pyrotechnics from Washington, you could notice the music was terrible, and the message was free choice. You can be anything you want. But that’s not true.

We declared independence, so we could worship God. The first amendment to the Constitution.

Human governments can only go so far – ultimately freedom, joy, happiness come from the King of Kings.

So who’s America’s best hope? Not Donald Trump, not Gavin Newsom.

What makes America exceptional? That we have kept a free country for 250 years. We do that because the founders understood, in God we trust. One nation under God.

The 5th Century BC prophesy was that the king will come on a donkey, humble. The warrior’s bow shall be banished.

We have a strong military in America and I’m grateful for that. We have freedom of worship- defended by a powerful military.

Blue Angels, tri-bomber flyovers last night – this reminded me of MayDay in Russia. We’re not in Heaven yet. While we’re on earth we need the military.

The fireworks show last night in D.C. broke records – a 40-minute show, 85,000 shells. These represent bombs that we need to protect ourselves. But we need to keep our eyes on another homeland- God’s dominion from sea to sea.