Freedom (8/26/12)

  During formation, we have been discussing what is true freedom. Society would tell us that freedom is the right to be able to do whatever we want, whenever we want- regardless of the consequences. However, the very wise Bl. John Paul II said it very well when he said "Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought."

Freedom consists in doing what is morally good and following the only person who is fully good, God. This may seem paradoxical but we are most free when we are following God’s law and his will for our lives. When we are not following His will we are sinning and we become slaves to sin as St. Paul describes in his letter to the Romans.

Think about it… let’s say someone is addicted to pornography, that person has to get "his fix."Money, time, loss of relationships, etc, are ensnaring this person. He can no longer function without porn. Is that freedom? How about always striving after the best car, house, technology- you name it- Is that really freedom? Or how about the desire to always fit in? You would do anything to be part of the "in crowd"- are you really free to live as God made you? In all these circumstances the answer is no! But these are the things that the world tells us will make us free.
So... what does the Church say about being free? In the beginning, Adam and Eve were created free. They were free from sin, death, corruption, etc. Their only limit was not to eat from the tree of good and evil, but they freely sinned by refusing God's plan of love and became a slave to sin. (C.C.C. 1730)
So when we deviate from moral law, we violate our own freedom because we become imprisoned within our own selves. (C.C.C. 1740) In other words, we become slaves to our own desires instead of being charitable to our neighbors. But we have hope. Our hope is in Christ (Gal 5:1). Christ desires to set us free from the enslavement of sin and death. All we have to do is run to Him and admit that we need his help. Us Catholics have a great way of doing this and that is by the Sacrament of Reconciliation. When we approach the Sacrament with a contrite heart and repentant soul Christ will set you free.
Now even through Christ has freed up by the Sacrament we must remember that we have an enemy who likes to ensnare us and will tempt us and sometime we will fall- but that is when we run back to confession. Christ's Mercy is unending. He loves us that much... here are some ways to fight against these temptations. 
1. The Eucharist- Daily Mass and Adoration.
2. St. Michael Prayer (see below)
3. Ask Momma Mary
4. Look up the saint who might assist you in this and ask for their intersession... there is a saint for EVERYTHING!
5. The Sacrament of reconciliation.

Remember to be patient with yourself as you try to grow in Christ's freedom. We are imperfect but our Lord is stronger than anything we could imagine and his love is infinite. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13. and "For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:37.



Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -
by the Divine Power of God -
cast into hell, Satan and all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.