We
have timely readings as we continue to ponder the notion of
religious freedom in our country on any given day. Because the Church exists in
the world, there will always be cause potentially for tension and discord (for rough waters, strong winds and storms in the
sea of life): for the Church
exists primarily in the supernatural
realm (where it conducts its business of saving souls), and the world exists primarily in the natural order to provide for the smooth
interrelation of persons who have intents and purposes and freedoms that need
coordinating, protecting and preserving. Reconciling and correlating the
operations of these two in people who are citizens of both realms can be a very
complex matter!
However, every man, woman and
child, no matter what his/her
“religious” moorings may be, has a HOPE that some way, somehow the winds, the
waves and the storms, the controversies, the discussions and politicizing will
be conducted for the true good of the
persons who live in both a supernatural and natural world at the same time!
The only way to foster and promote this HOPE is by both the Church and the
State conceding first that their members and constituents do in fact live in
such a dualistic mode – even those
who profess no religious beliefs at all, are still people who hope and yearn
for what is just, peaceful and harmonious – and their perspective and rights
need to be protected as well, temporary or permanent as they might be.
Once this concession is made,
then the understanding that all freedom, including religious freedom - being
SUPERNATURAL IN ORIGIN (because at one point way back there was only God), and
rooted in DIVINE LAW – is meant for everyone: and it will boil down to the freedom to serve others in love,
a love that is based on a particular religious framework and setting or not!
When government interferes directly or indirectly with the process, then
everyone loses and those who try to love
as Christ taught them in real time, in real life situations across the
board in living out their own vocations to be new creations in Christ – are cheated out of their divine and civil
lawful rights and protections.
In
our first reading today God himself takes Job aside as he was in
the midst of a violent storm that God allowed him to be in to test his faith –
and while Job was trying to assert his rights with God – God tells Job that he
has it all wrong: God says: I AM
THE ALL POWERFUL GOD! I made the wind and the sea and the
waves, I can make storms if I want
to, I can test anyone that I want, and then I can turn everything peaceful again in the twinkling of an eye! Do
you have any power whatsoever to
tell me what I should or should not
be doing in your regard? Job then shamefacedly realizes that it is a
privilege not a right to be under God’s special care, and that when trials come
– IF WE PERSIST IN OUR FAITH – then the storms will cease to the extent that we
surrender completely and trust in the wind/wave/storm maker! It is out of
love that God tests the faithful! He
is testing the Church in our country at this time! Let us not fail the test!
Let us pursue our status as privileged children of God whom he will protect to
the end, especially as we strive to ensure universally applicable, God-given,
civil rights, as they properly relate
to government and the common good!
In
any society on earth – freedom of conscience, freedom to worship, and freedom to express worship in multitudinous acts of
charity and love and human helpfulness - are GOD GIVEN: and it is always appropriate to stand up to defend them
from those who might misunderstand them completely and wish to dismantle them
piece by piece, for the seeming best of intentions!
Give
thanks to the Lord, for his love is everlasting!
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