Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, at Holy Mass today, we will reflect on the profound and liberating gift of freedom as presented in the readings we’ve just heard. It is a gift, because ultimately, like all things good that come to us, it has been offered to us by our Almighty God and Father out of love. But as a gift that is freely given, it needs to be freely accepted, and this is why, as always, he offers and doesn’t force it upon us.
Saint Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, and the words of our Lord in the Gospel of Luke, invite us to examine the nature of our freedom and the significant difference between the life led by the Spirit and a life shackled by the flesh and legalism—the heaviness of keeping tabs with the Lord and our perception that he keeps rigorous tabs with us.
Saint Paul begins with a bold statement: “If you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” Freedom, as Paul presents it, is not simply the absence of restrictions; rather, it is an active accompaniment of the Holy Spirit guiding our lives.
The law, while it has its place, can often become a heavy burden, leading us into a cycle of rule-following that may focus more on external appearances than on the internal transformation of the heart.
Paul contrasts the “works of the flesh” with the “fruit of the Spirit.” The works of the flesh are evident in behaviors stemming from selfish desires. They lead us to immorality, jealousy, and discord—ultimately imprisoning us in a cycle of sin and separation from God. On the contrary, the fruit of the Spirit cultivates love, joy, peace, and self-control within us. These fruits are the tangible expressions of a life lived in communion with God, fostering relationships that flourish with mutual respect and joy.
In our lives, we often find ourselves caught between the two paths—one path that leads to an empty form of freedom, which is merely to do as we please and indulge in all our desires, and another path that brings true freedom, which is a commitment to live in accordance with God’s will. To arrive at this true freedom, we must “crucify our flesh with its passions and desires.” This is not easy work; it involves sacrifice, acknowledging our weaknesses, and seeking God’s help to transform our hearts and lives.
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees and scholars of the law for their external religiosity, warning them of the danger of letting their focus on the letter of the law overshadow the heart of God's message—love and justice. They are described as imposing burdens on others without lifting a finger to help. This is a stark warning for us today. We must not fall into the trap of legalism, where we become more concerned with the observance of rituals and rules than with the spirit of love and compassion that should animate our faith.
True freedom, then, is a liberation from the shackles of sin and the burdens of legalism. It is an invitation to live according to the Spirit, allowing our decisions and actions to be guided by love—love for God and love for one another. This means embracing humility, extending grace, and serving others generously. It means recognizing that our authentic self is found not in asserting our rights or indulging in our desires, but in seeking the good of our neighbor and reflecting the love of Christ in our lives.
As we strive to cultivate this freedom, let us take to heart the call to be attentive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Let’s
engage in prayer, immerse ourselves in Scripture, and participate in the sacraments regularly, all of which deepen our relationship with God and enhance our ability to hear His voice. In doing so, we will bear the fruits of the Spirit that not only nurture our souls but also bring hope and healing to a world desperately in need of love and peace.
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