+ The topic of our readings
today is an important one: freedom. It
seems that Jesus and the Jewish people to whom he spoke were on two different
wavelengths, again: this time regarding what it truly means to be free! The
Jewish people still see freedom as a national condition that is the goal to be
striven for: the children of Abraham are free because they are to be the
favored nations of God – among other nations and gods!
But Jesus speaks very plainly
today: only I can give you true freedom, inner freedom, freedom to be who you
are on the inside – and it is from the inside out that you will attain your
true status as heirs of Abraham and favored children of God! – and this,
whether you have standing as a nation among nations or not!
Most often, freedom comes at a
price: such as the price the three young men faced in the fiery furnace of
Nebuchadnezzar! But when one is totally engulfed in faith in God – not even
lapping flames of any kind – real or symbolic – can disturb.
We need to remember this
reality this day, as the very notion of freedom, free will and free reign is
being bastardized on the national governmental level. It is only when the
freedom of the children of God begins to infiltrate the minds and hearts of
Christians already in office that things have a chance of changing for the
better.
May we today truly be free,
enjoying the freedom of the sons and
daughters of God: a freedom consisting of informed consent and cooperation
with God who wants to be an intimate part of our lives – if we let him!
And may we pray intensely for
the diffusion of faith and right response in those who are supposed to be
leading us in a free and vibrant democracy.
Blessed
are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above all
forever!
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