Memorial of Saint
Teresa of Jesus, virgin and doctor of the Church
(Galatians 4:22-24.26-27.31-5:1; Luke 11:29-32)
One of the great debates in ethics is over the definition
of freedom. Is freedom merely the
absence of physical restraints? If this
were the case, one would be free as long as no one were holding the person
back. In freedom Jack could help Jill,
ignore Jill, or kill Jill. A second,
deeper definition of freedom sees it as transcending both physical and spiritual
barriers. One is free if in addition to having
no physical holds to overcome, there were no inward compulsions determining how
the person will act. The person would choose
between different ways of doing good because humans are made for that. Jack might buy Jill a cup of coffee, read her
a sonnet of Shakespeare, telephone her when she gets sick, etc. Surely St. Paul has this second idea in mind
when he writes to the Galatians in today’s first reading, “For freedom, Christ
has set you free.”
Paul realizes that sin has short-circuited human
freedom. Since Adam no one has been able
to do the good that they deeply desire to do because of pride, lust, envy, and
the other vices. Recently, however, Christ
has freed them from sin by his cross and resurrection. His obedience to God and God’s ever-gracious
approval have unbound the inner hold that sin has had on humans. Now they can love as they were always meant
to do.
If we are to realize the freedom Christ has won for us,
we must remain close to him. We do so
through receiving Holy Communion and the other sacraments; by reading
Scripture, especially the gospels; and by associating with the good people who
comprise his body, the Church.
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