Holy Hour: Eucharist, Ultimate Freedom
Our bishops outlined the key issues of religious freedom in “The Fortnight of Freedom”.
The philosophical and theological topics focused on Freedom and Liberty included: •The Thomistic definition of conscience.
•The Aristotelian understanding of how the state relates to a person's conscience.
•The comparison to the Individual Health Care Mandate decided by the Supreme Court.
•The Bill of Rights: the distinction between freedom of worship and the exercise of religion.
•An analysis of God, Goodness, and Freedom found in 21st Century Society.
These presentations have awakened a renewed respect for the Church leadership in America.
Galatians 5:1, suggests a biblical perspective in our personal search for Freedom and Liberty.
"For Freedom Christ has set us free.
So stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery."
We might ask: “Freedom? Liberty? What does this mean to me as a Catholic?”
Traditional Catholics believe that “Inner Freedom” flows directly from God and is experienced in a life of Prayer, Fasting, and Personal Witness.
True Liberty, the “Inner Freedom”, that we desire, comes from living in the presence of God.
Religious, Economic, and Political Freedom, are always at the service of Interior Freedom.
Consider the Great Saints martyred for their beliefs. Thomas More, John Fisher, St. John the Baptist, Saints Peter and Paul each laid down their lives for interior freedom.
These saints stood firm in the face of Politics of a Collective Government determined to strip them of their religious freedom. The life stories of saints always reflect the power of Prayer, Fasting, and Personal Witness in the midst of struggle, trial, and challenge.
We lose our freedoms when:
We become silent and fail to witness to the good things Christ has done in our lives.
Liturgy is where we celebrate “Interior Freedom”. This might be your experience, it is mine.
Christ comes into the heart with:
The power to create a vision and the strength to fulfill a dream.
Christ gives us the dream of freedom and liberty that no one can ever take away.
Peace and Only The Good Things
r.r.lackney, deacon, My 4th Day Journal
PS: Just how free are we?
We remain free to the degree that Gifts of the Spirit are present in our lives.
St. Teresa taught that Joy was the sign of God’s presence and this is: Ultimate Freedom.
