True freedom is trusting and walking with God. I won’t delve deeply into the theology of freedom, but after watching all the protest world wide, and the theme was seeking freedom from restrictive mandates, I meditated the last 2 days and asked myself, “What is freedom?” “What does freedom mean to me – a Catholic.”
Seeking freedom can only be found in God. I know it’s a profound statement to make in our world today. The concepts of freedom and truth has been tainted with modernism, and secularized. Truth and freedom is defined in our world today as – me, his, her, and, them. The focus is on the self. God is not in the centre. God is not the focus. It is missing God!
In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, it is a choice to do good (referencing Romans 6:17)
The more one does what is good, the freer one becomes. There is no true freedom except in the service of what is good and just. The choice to disobey and do evil is an abuse of freedom and leads to “the slavery of sin”. (CCC#1733)
From the Old Testament to the New Testament, freedom and truth has been only through faith and trust in God:
The Prophet Isaiah talked about freedom saying, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound” (Isaiah 61:1).
King David said in Psalm 118:5, “Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free.”
It is through God’s divine mercy we are set free – through His beloved son, Jesus:
“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:31-36.
Cardinal John Henry Newman got it right:
Lead Kindly Light
Lead, Kindly Light, amidst th’encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home,
Lead Thou me on!
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.
I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou
Shouldst lead me on;
I loved to choose and see my path; but now
Lead Thou me on!
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years!
So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still
Will lead me on.
O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone,
And with the morn those angel faces smile,
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile!
Meantime, along the narrow rugged path,
Thyself hast trod,
Lead, Saviour, lead me home in childlike faith,
Home to my God.
To rest forever after earthly strife
In the calm light of everlasting life.
May each of us find true freedom.
God Bless💖
Be Inspired! 