Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, in today’s readings, we are presented with two profound messages—one from Saint Paul’s letter to the Galatians and another from the Gospel of Luke. Both call us to reflect on the nature of our faith and how we respond to the gift of freedom Christ offers us.
Saint Paul speaks of the two sons of Abraham, one born of a slave woman, Hagar, and the other born of the free woman, Sarah. Paul uses this allegory to illustrate the difference between the old covenant, which leads to slavery, and the new covenant established through Christ, which brings freedom. He passionately asserts, "For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery." Here, Paul invites us to embrace our identity as children of the free, liberated from the constraints of sin and law that lead us toward spiritual bondage.
It is essential for us to grasp the depth of Paul’s message. He contrasts two paths: one of earthly, temporary fulfillment that leads to spiritual death, and the other, one that may be fraught with challenges but leads to eternal life and joy in the family of God. As children of the freeborn woman, it is through faith in Jesus Christ that we find our true identity and freedom.
In the Gospel, we see how Jesus addresses a crowd that is clamoring for signs and wonders. He remarks that this generation is evil because their hearts are closed to the truth right in front of them. He calls to their attention the repentance of the Ninevites in response to Jonah’s preaching—a mere mortal who brought a message of God’s wrath that led to a great change, in heart and mind, which eventually translated into better conduct. Yet here stands Jesus, the very embodiment of divine wisdom and grace, and still they demand more signs—this hesitancy to embrace repentance and metanoia—a change in heart and ways.
What connects these two readings is the theme of recognizing God’s work in our lives and responding with faith. Paul emphasizes freedom through faith, while Jesus challenges his listeners to respond to His presence and message without seeking further proof—i.e., what proof do you need when the invitation is towards goodness and righteousness? The Ninevites recognized their need for God through the preaching of Jonah, and their repentance is a testament to their faith and humility in accepting God’s call. Likewise, the "queen of the south" sought wisdom and found it; she recognized something greater than herself and responded.
This leads us to consider our own lives. Are we, like the Galatians, in danger of re-submitting to the yoke of old ways that bind us? Are we, like the crowd in Luke’s Gospel, demanding signs, more entertainment, than getting busy with the work of sanctification in our souls? The challenge is to open our hearts to the freedom that Christ offers and to recognize Him in our daily lives. Saint Francis discerned that call to freedom and jumped on it. Quite literally, he despoiled himself of the world of carnal obsession and possession and began seeking first the kingdom of God. As he did so, his heart grew freer and freer with each passing day.
Let us pray for the grace to acknowledge our freedom in Christ, and to allow him to work in us so that our freedom may be secure and consistent.
Our Lord warned; “Whoever commits sin, is a slave of sin.” Every once in a while we allow ourselves to be thrown into spiritual, emotional, and psychological prison, through the sins we commit. Let us avoid sin, so as to truly be free.
Mary, Mother of the Free, pray for us who have recourse to thee as your children. Amen.
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