Have you ever stopped to think about how many contradictions we find in our faith? I mean, just look at the Beatitudes: “Blessed are the poor in spirit…blessed are those who mourn…? Or how about when Jesus tells us He has not come to bring peace on earth but rather division? And those who lose their life will find it? It’s all so dizzying.
But perhaps one of the most confusing concepts, especially today in age, is that of freedom. Jesus says, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32) Wait a minute. If I am to abide in His Word, doesn’t that mean that I have parameters, guidelines and, dare I say, rules? That does not sound like freedom to me!
On this 4th of July, when the United States of America celebrates 250 years of independence from oppressive rule, it is a great time to reflect on what freedom really means. As human beings, God has written natural law within our hearts to know right from wrong. He has also gifted us with a conscience, which helps us further discern and choose. As we grow and mature, we come to realize that there are natural consequences when we choose not to follow our conscience. We go through a red light and we cause an accident. We eat too much and we get sick. We use nasty words and we hurt a friend… So where does freedom come into play?
If we view freedom solely as the ability to do whatever we want, when we want, we have sorely missed the mark. In fact, we are looking at it all backwards. Freedom is not the starting point, but rather the end result. From a national perspective, protests were made, Acts were signed, and wars were fought, then independence was won. From a Catholic perspective, if we abide in God’s Word, then we will know the truth and it is the truth that sets us free. Free to be His disciples, free to live in love, free to literally reach for the sky as we journey toward eternal union with Him in Heaven.
Looking at freedom from this perspective makes the words of today’s Psalm seem more attainable: “Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven… Justice shall walk before him, and salvation, along the way of his steps.”
Let us all strive to live in God’s truth today, for only then will we experience true freedom.
¿Alguna vez te has parado a pensar en cuántas contradicciones encontramos en nuestra fe? O sea, basta con mirar las Bienaventuranzas: “Bienaventurados los pobres de espíritu… Bienaventurados los que lloran…” ¿O qué tal cuando Jesús nos dice que no ha venido a traer paz a la tierra, sino la división? ¿Y que quienes pierdan la vida la hallarán? Todo esto parece tan confuso.
Pero quizás uno de los conceptos más confusos, especialmente hoy en día, es el de la libertad. Jesús dice: “Si permanecen en mi palabra, serán verdaderamente mis discípulos; conocerán la verdad, y la verdad los hará libres” (Juan 8,31-32). Un momento. Si debo permanecer en su Palabra, ¿no significa que tengo parámetros, directrices y, me atrevo a decir, reglas? ¡Eso no me suena a libertad!
Este 4 de julio, cuando Los Estados Unidos de América celebra 250 años de independencia del régimen opresor, es un buen momento para reflexionar sobre lo que realmente significa la libertad. Como seres humanos, Dios ha escrito la ley natural en nuestros corazones para que sepamos distinguir entre el bien y el mal. Él también nos ha dotado de una conciencia, que nos ayuda a discernir y elegir mejor. A medida que crecemos y maduramos, nos damos cuenta de que hay consecuencias naturales cuando elegimos no seguir nuestra conciencia. Nos pasamos un semáforo en rojo y causamos un accidente. Comemos demasiado y nos enfermamos. Usamos palabras feas y lastimamos a un amigo… Entonces, ¿dónde entra en juego la libertad?
Si vemos la libertad únicamente como la capacidad de hacer lo que queramos, cuando queramos, hemos errado completamente. De hecho, lo estamos viendo todo al revés. La libertad no es el punto de partida, sino el resultado final. Desde una perspectiva nacional, se hicieron protestas, se firmaron leyes y se libraron guerras, y luego se ganó la independencia. Desde una perspectiva católica, si permanecemos en la Palabra de Dios, luego conoceremos la verdad, y es la verdad la que nos hace libres. Libres para ser sus discípulos, libres para vivir en el amor, libres para literalmente alcanzar el cielo mientras caminamos hacia la unión eterna con Él.
Ver la libertad desde esta perspectiva hace que las palabras del Salmo de hoy parezcan más accesibles: “La misericordia y la verdad se encontraron, la justicia y la paz se besaron, la fidelidad brotó en la tierra y la justicia vino del cielo… La justicia le abrirá camino al Señor e irá siguiendo sus pisadas”.
Esforcémonos todos por vivir en la verdad de Dios hoy, porque solo así experimentaremos la verdadera libertad.
Tami Urcia is a midwestern gal from a large Catholic family. As a young adult she was a missionary in Mexico, where she studied theology and philosophy. After returning stateside bilingual, she gained a variety of work experience, traveled extensively and finished her Bachelor’s Degree at Brescia University. She loves organizing and simplifying things, watching her children play sports, deep conversations with close family and friends and finding unique ways to brighten others’ day with Christ’s love. She works full time at Diocesan in the Software Department and manages the Inspiration Daily reflections. She is also a contributing writer on CatholicMom.com and BlessedIsShe.net.
Feature Image Credit: Sasha Freemind, unsplash.com/photos/woman-standing-on-grass-field-frq5Q6Ne9k4
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