Homage to Freedom

Today is the celebration of freedom in the United States. It is a day on which all Americans celebrate a ‘system’ dedicated to freedom. The ‘system’ may not be perfect, but commitment to freedom is what keeps us going, day by day, year by year, generation after generation.

The Declaration of Independence wasn’t the first statement the world heard on the idea of freedom. Long before America was, the Gospel of Jesus Christ preached freedom to every human being. Somewhere along the way, the idea of freedom was warped.

The Gospel speaks of freedom from something, rather than freedom for something. American freedom is about the ability to ‘do’ something. Christian freedom is about not doing something. We believe God has set us free from sin and corruption, for a new life in union with Him.

The difference isn’t in the actions we choose, but the oppressor that enslaves us. American freedom was fought against a political king. Christian freedom is fought against sin and temptation. As Christians we are fighting ourselves, not a foreign king.

We are tempted by our passions. We are tempted by our desires. We are tempted by our ego. It is difficult to fight against ourselves in a nation that exalts the self. American has become a reason to indulge in self-oriented passions.

The Church has established a way of life to help us be victorious against ourselves, sin and temptation. A life of prayer, fasting, almsgiving and the sacraments have only one purpose. The Church is our battleground against sin and temptation, not a ‘to do’ list.

The Church is also counterculture to American standards. We help each other before helping ourselves. We serve others before they serve us. We believe life isn’t ‘about us’ but about God. Prayer, fasting, almsgiving and the sacraments are the weapons we use in our fight for freedom.

So, here is a test. Today is Friday, July 4^th. It is a test against self-indulgence. Hamburgers and hot dogs are the ‘food of choice’ to celebrate the 4^th of July, but today is Friday. It is a perfect day to fight against ourselves, and fast for freedom.

Yes! Fasting isn’t a law to be obeyed. You can eat whatever you want today. Ask yourself this. “Why am I not fasting today?” Then remind yourself that we celebrate freedom from sin and temptation, not the freedom to do whatever we desire.

LET FREEDOM RING!