July 4th Fast

+

JMJ

"Nowadays it is sometimes held, though wrongly, that freedom is an end in itself, that each human being is free when he makes use of freedom as he wishes, and that this must be our aim in the lives of individuals and societies. In reality, freedom is a great gift only when we know how to use it consciously for everything that is our true good. Christ teaches us that the best use of freedom is charity, which takes concrete form in self-giving and in service. For this "freedom Christ has set us free" and ever continues to set us free." 

(Redemptor Hominis, The Redeemer of Man, St. John Paul II, 1979)

God gave mankind the great gift of free will when He created the world: the freedom to choose beauty, goodness, and Truth.  After sin entered the world through the abuse of this gift, God restored humanity sending His Son to redeem our freedom.  As St. Paul says:

"We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. . . Therefore, sin must not reign over your mortal bodies so that you obey their desires.  And do not present the parts of your bodies to sin as weapons for wickedness, but present yourselves to God as raised from the dead to life and the parts of your body to God as weapons of righteousness.  For sin is not to have any power over you, since you are not under the law but under grace.    (Romans 6:6, 12-14)

 Freedom means the strength to control our passions, the courage to confront our faults, and the humility to recognize our total dependence on God and constant need for His grace to persevere.  Perhaps one remembers the time when he learned that true freedom does not equate to licentiousness.  He felt the chains of sin and worldly standards lifted and realized he was not condemned to a miserable material existence, but instead was free to live a peaceful and happy life because he is called and is capable of greatness.

But, after awhile, the old tempter comes slinking back attempting to douse the flame of zeal with a cold splash of indolence. Pressures mount, stresses abound, and one looks to objects, or old vices, to bring comfort, relieve anxiety, or provide a little lift.  The passions are no longer controlled and channelled for sanctifying purposes.  Noise drowns out the silence needed for recollection; impetuosity replaces thoughtfulness, and excuses cloak the need to reclaim the right use of freedom.   

Yet, what is the goal of our life, what should our freedom be used for: our comfort or our sanctification?  Is my time for myself or for Him?  This is not to suggest that those who live in the world should act as if they live in a monastery, but instead be aware that all that we do together, or that we do individually should be directed to His purposes, His plan.  When one indulges his own whims, or constantly seeks his own comfort, he unknowingly starts to build a small wall between himself and others (be it his spouse, children, friends, etc.)  In isolation, there is no sanctification; the marital and religious vocation depend on the gift of self, not the the gratification of self.  But St. Paul offers us hope still:

"What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? Of course not!  . . . But thanks be to God that, although you were once slaves of sin, you have become obedient from the heart to the pattern of teaching which you were entrusted.  Freed from sin, you have become slaves of righteousness. . . For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:15, 17-18, 23)

Christ has freed us!  We can be like Him, He has given us the grace to do it!  Let us reflect today on the gift of our freedom, and ask God humbly to show us how best to use it.