The Paradox of Freedom
Fr. Erbin made a fantastic homily yesterday, on how we're called to live like people of the Resurrection, revelling in the freedom that Jesus had won for us by dying on the Cross, and therefore not be bounded by laws and all, but moving to the rhythm of love.
But the fact of the matter is, it's not easy to understand, accept and live that freedom.
I had a mini-altercation with my dad over this. He thinks that the Fr Erbin's homily was a load of bull*hit. And I was sort of fuming, cos to me, it was an eye-opening reminder of how we're NOT to live - in fear. My dad couldn't understand or accept the idea of "freedom" that was preached. In fact, i think he was merely looking to be entertained and stimulated by the preaching, processing it in his head to fit whatever ideas he has of what our Christian faith holds.
And after sharing this with a friend, i realise that many of our parents' generation live like that - in ritualisation and the laws of religion. Religion. Not faith.
And how hard it is to live that freedom. There are so many "Isaacs" in our lives that we have to give up to live in Christ's freedom. And for many, it's too big an ask to live in this ABSOLUTE freedom. Even the younger kids in Post Con tell me this.
This friend of mine puts it aptly, "It may be a joyful thing to live in God's freedom but not necessarily a happy one." What a paradox, or so it seems.
Why is joy and happiness necessarily different? Are they different? What does it mean to be happy? Is happiness merely temporary? Is joy an abstraction that only the "enlightened" can fathom? Why is living life the way of the Cross seen to be bloody and messy and gory? Why can't the joy of living like this permeate the temporal emotions that come our way?
I'm determined to live my life according to the Cross, whatever it may be. And i know i'm gonna regret this sometimes, when my human frailty seeps in. I know i'll fall and bash myself over and over again for choosing otherwise, and sometimes even choosing to say this now. Yet, and i can do is to hope in the Lord, and trust that His grace is sufficient. I want to FULLY appreciate, understand, accept and live in that freedom that has been won on the Cross.
So crucify me.
Rhino5
But the fact of the matter is, it's not easy to understand, accept and live that freedom.
I had a mini-altercation with my dad over this. He thinks that the Fr Erbin's homily was a load of bull*hit. And I was sort of fuming, cos to me, it was an eye-opening reminder of how we're NOT to live - in fear. My dad couldn't understand or accept the idea of "freedom" that was preached. In fact, i think he was merely looking to be entertained and stimulated by the preaching, processing it in his head to fit whatever ideas he has of what our Christian faith holds.
And after sharing this with a friend, i realise that many of our parents' generation live like that - in ritualisation and the laws of religion. Religion. Not faith.
And how hard it is to live that freedom. There are so many "Isaacs" in our lives that we have to give up to live in Christ's freedom. And for many, it's too big an ask to live in this ABSOLUTE freedom. Even the younger kids in Post Con tell me this.
This friend of mine puts it aptly, "It may be a joyful thing to live in God's freedom but not necessarily a happy one." What a paradox, or so it seems.
Why is joy and happiness necessarily different? Are they different? What does it mean to be happy? Is happiness merely temporary? Is joy an abstraction that only the "enlightened" can fathom? Why is living life the way of the Cross seen to be bloody and messy and gory? Why can't the joy of living like this permeate the temporal emotions that come our way?
I'm determined to live my life according to the Cross, whatever it may be. And i know i'm gonna regret this sometimes, when my human frailty seeps in. I know i'll fall and bash myself over and over again for choosing otherwise, and sometimes even choosing to say this now. Yet, and i can do is to hope in the Lord, and trust that His grace is sufficient. I want to FULLY appreciate, understand, accept and live in that freedom that has been won on the Cross.
So crucify me.
Rhino5
posted by Rhino for God! at 3:35 PM
2 Comments:
piety is not the same as faith. i can identify with your struggles as regards your dad. I remember how my mum flipped when I went through the process of discerning if I was called to the religious life. attending Mass every week and saying the rosary all the time does not faith equate.
Happiness is observing or doing something you really like. Joy is connecting with the source of life within you. Happiness is dependent upon something or someone outside of yourself. Joy is self-enabling and comes from within. living in God's freedom brings joy, not happiness.
there is a certain kind of loneliness that must inevitably follow when one decides to put his/her hand to the plough and follow Jesus following Him requires dying to self and slaying our Isaacs. something not everyone can do.
Christ warns us in Luke 14:26 of the rift that will form between us and those we love when we choose Him above all else. but the freedom of choosing God above family and loved ones is worth the discomfort. take heart clem, your persistence after Him will be rewarded.
the fool for Christ
Take heart, for the new generation is challenging the norms of religion. Ritualistic devotion is not enough for them. They are questioning, they want more out of their faith.
Soon you'll see that more people will come to take that road with you, and the journey won't be so lonely.
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