In today’s Gospel reading from Luke 11, Jesus says, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah.” Hmm…seems the more things change the more they stay the same. So many today are seeking a sign. They won’t believe until they see some “miraculous” proof of God. Take a look around! The signs are all around us.
In our first reading today from Galatians, St. Paul says, “For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.” Freedom. It’s an interesting word that can mean different things to different people. In fact, one man’s freedom might be another one’s oppression. Some think that true freedom is not to have to follow anyone’s rules; to be “free” to do whatever one wants. But this is not the Christian’s way of thinking of freedom.
So what is the freedom that Christ gives us? It is the freedom to be all that God wants us to be. The freedom to love without condition. The freedom to “not submit again to the yoke of slavery,” which is sin. The freedom to allow Christ Jesus to heal us from all our afflictions and addictions. Freedom is not the ability to sin with impunity. While the world may tell you that, that you don’t have to be “bound up” in the rules of religion or the Church, that is not freedom at all. That leads only into the slavery from which Christ sets us free.
Father, we thank you for sending your Son so free us. Help us to never submit to the yoke of slavery again. Amen.
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