In the popular imagination, freedom is frequently portrayed as freedom "from," as freedom from interference or freedom from restrictions. As Christians and in accord with the tenets of our Faith in Jesus Christ, freedom is deeply imbued with the meaning of freedom "for," as freedom for service and for sacrifice—reflecting values that are clearly seen in the entire arch of the course of salvation history, and are fully manifested in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

What impedes freedom for service and sacrifice in a way conducive to the Gospel message?  A first impediment, which Jesus sternly criticizes today and frequently throughout Gospels is packaged, polished, and pressed piety and pharisaicalism; these ritualistic obsessions inevitably reach a spiritual dead end or plummet over a religious cliff—because they impede freedom to live authentically for and in Christ and His Gospel message.

A second impediment relates to the freedom of others as equal sharers of the divine promises of Jesus Christ. Many are robbed and deprived of life or denied of the necessities of life because of greed, selfishness, pride, arrogance, ignorance, indifference, fear, abuse of power... this list can go on. Such personal and social sins are contrary to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to the true meaning of freedom.

At the natural level, freedom is a God-given attribute of the human person. At the supernatural level, freedom is a God-given relationship—an infused divine gift. Freedom for ourselves and for others in Christ is exercised by building the reign of God now and preparing for the eternal fullness of the kingdom. Yes. For this Christ set us free.

-- Fr. David Orique, OP