On this Monday the 20th Donald Trump is set to take office as the 47th President of the United States, with an inauguration ceremony at the US Capitol in Washington, D.C. This event is historic, marking the first time in a century that a presidential inauguration falls on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday. Due to severe cold weather, the ceremony will be moved indoors to the Capitol Rotunda, similar to Ronald Reagan’s inauguration in 1985.
The United States of America is one of those few countries in the world, where reference to God is made on their currencies. It features the phrase “In God We Trust” which was added in the year 1956. This phrase proclaims that we are a God-fearing, God-loving, and God-trusting Nation. Any kind of deviation from this is an abuse of what we profess and our commitment to God and our Nation.
This is the time for all of us to pray for our Nation, pray for our leaders, and pray for the unity of all Americans irrespective of our minor differences of color, creed, politics, status, or any other kinds of affiliations. Our country needs our support, our prayers, and our commitment to stand up for those values on which our Nation was built almost 249 years ago under God.
“This is the time for all of us to pray for our Nation,”
It is also time for us to look for what unites and unifies us and brings us closer as a Nation, rather than those small differences that may divide and destabilize us as a Nation. We have a great legacy, which is the fruit of the commitment, dedication, and sacrifice of our forefathers and builders of our Nation. As Americans of the 21st century, we have a duty and responsibility to cherish and safeguard that great legacy handed over to us. It is always easier to break than to build. Once we break it, we lose it, and then it is hard and takes time to rebuild. As citizens of this Nation, each of us has to commit and pledge to ourselves that we will do our best to build up this Nation rather than tear it down.
Christianity has always been part of the American tradition and legacy. Our Nation was founded on Christian values. We must make sure that these traditions and legacies are maintained in the best way possible. Every time we use a dollar bill of the United States of America, it reminds us of the close-knit relationship between God and the people of this Nation. Our Nation’s founders were men of God and God inspired them to prepare the path for future generations to look up to God and love our neighbors as brothers and sisters. A neighbor is not necessarily someone who lives next door. It could be someone whom you have never met in your life so far but who comes to your rescue like an angel of mercy and compassion in times of need. 
Most of us are immigrants here from one country or another at some point in our history. We are also immigrants from “elsewhere” to this wonderful planet. Throughout our past as a Nation, we have a history of welcoming and accommodating immigrants from all over the world. We are all made up of different colors, caliber, aptitudes, attitudes, tastes, choices, preferences, etc. These differences are always our strength, not our challenges. When we look at our Nation in bits and pieces, we find these differences magnified, and we appear small. When we look at our Nation as one complete entity comprised of these differences, we see them all as part of one whole, and we are great. Our perspectives about our Nation are the motivating source of our actions that lead to the future of our Nation.
As we embark on this new journey, let us be mindful of how God was leading us, as He was leading and guiding His people of the Old Testament through the desert. We are the people of the New Testament, and we have a responsibility to stay committed to God and our fellow beings around us. May the Lord continue to Bless America!
May God bless us all!
Fr. Tomy J. Puliyan, MSFS
“ Holiness and Happiness through Wellness and Wholeness!”