Listen

Christ has set us free for freedom. Therefore, stand firm and don’t submit to the bondage of slavery again.

You were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only don’t let this freedom be an opportunity to indulge your selfish impulses, but serve each other through love. All the Law has been fulfilled in a single statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.

Galatians 5:1, 13-14

Think

It feels good to say, “I’m free!” when I’ve taken an exam I’ve been preparing for, or when I’ve completed that paper I worked so hard to finish. I am thrilled and even try to reward myself. We all love to be free from what oppresses us. I find it curious that most of the time when we use the word “oppression,” we associate it with something that victimizes us. I recognize that procrastination may be the main factor in my feeling oppressed. When I choose to procrastinate and not prepare diligently, stress makes me feel like its servant. That uncomfortable feeling seems to be the culprit, but I’m the one who decided to put myself in that situation.

Paul affirms in Galatians that our freedom comes from Christ. He also emphasizes that we are called to be free, avoiding giving power to our way of doing or reacting. He exhorts us to avoid forms of life that, although they appear to be freedom, end up enslaving us. Let us always remember that Jesus came to set captives free.

Wilfredo Mercado Reyes

Question to Ponder:

How will you use your freedom today?

Pray

God of infinite goodness, teach me to live in freedom. Help me to be diligent to remain steadfast in you in the face of sin. You are my redeemer! Amen.

Go

Radiate God’s light and share God’s truth.

Live with dignity and attain God’s fullness.

Don’t settle, answer God’s call.

God will use you if only you say yes!