The anticipation of the celebration of the Fourth of July, now less than two weeks away, gives us the annual opportunity to thank God for the abundant blessings of freedom, prosperity, and justice so cherished in our beloved country, as well as to pray that “God bless America!” as he has so lavishly done for 230 years.

Do you share my frustration that the image of America abroad is so contrary to what we recognize as true characteristics of our citizens? We Americans have flaws indeed, and part of our nation’s greatness has been in humbly admitting them. But we also know that the American heart is overflowing with generosity, fairness, and a deep desire for peace and justice. Instead, we seem to be seen only as mean, selfish, violent, and hardened.

At the bishops’ meeting a couple of weeks ago, we heard our new papal nuncio, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, tell us a story about his days as nuncio in Indonesia. Seems that one Christmas he decided to visit the most isolated, abandoned, tiniest area of what had been formerly called Borneo. On the long flight there, he realized with anxiety that he would not be able to drink the water there, and that (he was a smoker back then) he had forgotten his cigarettes! What a long Christmas day it would be, he lamented.

Guess what? In this forgotten end of the world, in a village without such essentials as running water, plumbing, electricity, heat, sturdy homes, even elementary clothing, he found a tiny store which had available Coca Cola and Marlboro cigarettes! At least he had something to drink and smoke that Christmas!

Such is the reach of American influence! Food, shelter, medicine, clothing, sanitation could not get there — Coca Cola and cigarettes could.

That reminded me of a visit to Budapest in 1991, less than two years after the collapse of Communism. A priest-friend and I were walking through that magnificent city, and stopped suddenly when we spotted what appeared to be a screaming mob ahead of us. We slowly moved ahead to see what the raucous was about.

To our surprise, the clawing, screaming mob was pushing and shouting to get into a newly-opened “Gap” store! New things to buy from America!

What do people around the world associate with Americans? Is it this peace, generosity, big-heartedness, and passion for liberty and fairness we all know is the spirit of this country and people we love? Or is it Coca Cola, Marlboro, jeans from “the Gap,” news coverage from CNN, and re-runs of violent, near-promiscuous TV shows about which we have all become blasé?

The papal nuncio concluded his moving remarks to us bishops by expressing a hope and a challenge that the virtues that make America truly great and noble will be as renowned around the globe as Marlboros and Coke!

What a wonderful prayer and challenge near the Fourth of July! God bless America! God mend thine every flaw!