True Meaning of Freedom

A Benedictine nun narrate that one day, a young unmarried man with a stable job came to the
monastery to have a colloquy with the Mother Superior. A restless soul, searching for a solution of
his problems. When the nun asked, why he didn’t have yet a definite choice in his life, the young
man replied: << Because I want to be free!>>. But in-between his thousand of questions, he seemed
to be a bird close in a cage…..In the meantime, the religious took the Holy Scripture in her hands
and read the passage slowly: << If you make my word your home, you will indeed be my disciples;
you will come to know the truth and the truth will set you free >>. ( Jn 8:31 -32 ). John 8 ERV

These two verses contain the fundamental indication for that difficult but necessary way that
everyone is called to follow to reach the fullness of his/her spiritual maturity. << If you remain in
my word >>: condition indispensable to acquire true freedom. Like a tree, a condition indispensable
to grow it strong and fruitful is to plant the root profoundly to the ground.

True freedom is not sterile and independence of pride, nor a pure spontaneous political activism
but a fruit of an education. Education then is not a know-how of the laws or rules to be respected
outwardly, nor is a rigid structure to get hold of one’s tendency and inclinations but an essential
teaching of life’s communication that molds heart and mind. That is why it needs to remain in the
Word of God. Remaining in the Word – that is Jesus Himself – and act in accordance with Him,
will become and known to be his disciple. << You’re really my disciples >>. We will take note of
the adverb “really”. To be a disciple of Jesus certainly imply one’s availability to carry his/her cross
daily and follow Jesus up to the Calvary where he revealed the fullness of his love for us.

Obtained to us from Christ the price of his blood, yet for us freedom is not a secured ownership,
rather it is a treasure to be guarded with vigilance! << And the truth will set you free >>. Man is not
naturally free; he become free if he accept to be freed. St. Paul teaches us: << Christ set us free,
so that we should remain free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be fastened again to
the yoke of slavery >>. ( Gal 5:1 ) And further he adds: << After all brothers, you were called
to be free >>. (5:13). Galatians 5 ERV

The freedom received in gift become a pledge; a commitment that coincide basically with the
universal calling to sanctity under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Thus, it is a way to the dynamic
love of God; a love that knows to lower one’s self for rising, knows to lose for winning and a love
offered because He simply wants it.

Let us ask ourselves:
• Who conducted my life?
• Who inspires my choices?
• Am I walking in the Spirit and invoke Him to enlighten and guide my story?

20 January 2013