Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Freedom in Christ

This Thursday is Independence Day.  Please note the Mass time is changed to 9am.  

It is a day we celebrate Freedom and thank God for the gift of freedom.  We thank Him also for our country, this great experiment in republican democracy.  The second reading for this weekend is apropos.  St. Paul writes to the Galatians, “For freedom Christ set us free, so stand firm and do not submit again to the yolk of slavery. For you were called for freedom ... but do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather serve one another through love.”  Asked to define freedom, many in our modern age would probably answer along the lines getting to do what one wants unhindered by others, being able to follow ones dreams, or seek what makes one happy.  These answers if qualified in a particular way could be good, but ultimately they are stuck in a narrow selfishness.  I like how St. Paul challenges us.  Our freedom is Christo-centric.  First off, our freedom is ours but it cannot belong exclusively to us, because it comes as a gift from God.  Further, it is for freedom that Christ set us free.  We are slaves to sin if freedom is stuck in selfish acts and motives.  Christ frees us from sin so we can live in authentic freedom which is not found in the flesh or my own worldly happiness, but found through service to others in love.  How about this for a definition of freedom then: to be unhindered in my authentic love of God and others.  To be allowed to grow in virtue and holiness by spreading the Gospel of Christ; to love wholeheartedly as God loves.  That is true freedom.  So as Christians especially we are not free to “do what I want” but free to do what we ought.  We strive to live freedom by doing what is right and just.  This freedom leads to true happiness and joy that comes through the peace of Christ. 
May we use our freedom well and make our country a place of true freedom founded in the love of God.


Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Pfr