True Freedom

As Americans we live in the land of the free. As Americans we are free to express our opinions, believe in whatever we choose, and live as we please. Enshrined in our system is the idea that I can ‘do whatever I want’ so long as I don’t hurt anyone else. If only this were true.

Brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case the stumbling block of the cross has been removed. I wish those who unsettle you would mutilate themselves! For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another take heed that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you would. But if you are led by the Spirit you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are plain: adultery, fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit, envy, murder, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5.11-21

For Saint Paul, freedom was more than just doing ‘whatever’ we want. With freedom comes responsibility. Just because we are free to ‘do’ something doesn’t mean it is a good thing to do. Even for non-Christians, not everything we are free to do is good for us or others.

Let me be clear. I’m not speaking of legal limitations and freedoms. Freedom goes well beyond the law. It is illegal to drive drunk, but nothing stops an alcoholic from getting behind the wheel of a car and driving home. Freedom doesn’t equal legal just as legal doesn’t equal good.

Freedom is a gift directly from God. Short of being physically restrained, nothing can limit our freedom. Even in chains, many saints used their freedom to preach Christ. In the opposite way, many Christians today use their freedom to live against the will of God.

Freedom goes both ways. This is why Saint Paul urges us not to use our “freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love [to] be servants of one another.” Let me put another way. We are called to use our freedom to serve others not to serve ourselves.

True freedom comes when we express our love for God, irrespective of the law, to serve others. Saint Paul doesn’t leave his teaching with how we serve others. True freedom is also expressed in the personal choices we make. We are called to use our freedom to fight the flesh.

Saint Paul’s list of ‘the flesh’ is quite extensive, but they each have one thing in common. Loving ourselves more than we love God or others, while we are free to do so, is not the will of God. So, how does this ‘play out’ today as modern Christians living in a post-modern world?

In keeping with the theme of yesterday’s Feast of the Holy Cross, let me remind you of Christ’s invitation. “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Mark 8.34) We simply cannot follow Christ focused on ourselves.

Being truly free begins with not being a slave to the flesh, not loving ourselves more than God and others. Easier said than done? True, but that is the work we must focus on, and the life of the Church is here to help.

Instead of ‘making up our own rules’ as Christians, allow the Church through our spiritual father to teach us the Way to Christ. Freedom begins with a life of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. The sacraments of the Church nourish our souls in this fight.

We need the Church to be free. We need the Church to constantly remind us of God’s loving mercy and grace. We need the Church, when needed, put a mirror in front of our face and call us to a higher standard. We need the Church to show us true freedom.