Thirteenth Year C
June 2010
Today’s theme is freedom.
In today’s second reading we are told ‘Christ set us free, so that we should remain free. ……. do not let yourselves be fastened again to the yoke of slavery.’
What is my experience of Christianity?
Has it given me a sense of freedom or has it just added to the burdens I already carry?
(Ask the question).
For myself I must say that for many, many years it just added to the burdens I already carried. The people from whom I learned Christianity must also have experienced it as a burden because they passed that burden on to me.
As Jesus of Nazareth said of the Scribes, Pharisees and religious Lawyers of his day; ‘They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others.’
For many years I too laid these burdens on the shoulders of others. For this I have a great regret even though, in my ignorance, I am no more to blame than those who passed these burdens on to me.
So what is this freedom that Jesus of Nazareth is offering me.
Certainly it does not come from assiduously complying with all the laws and regulations of any religious organisation or church. I have tried that.
Also it is not the freedom to do whatever I like, free from all constraints and irrespective of other people. Many of us have tried that and are still not free.
Jesus told his followers; ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives.’ So he is not talking about the healthy bank balance or the nice home or the secure job, good and desirable as these things may be. Many of us have all these and are still searching for freedom, for peace.
He goes on to say;
‘The greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.’ And again; ‘You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.’ And again; ‘Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’ And again; ‘The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.’ And consider; ‘He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.” And what about;
‘Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.’
Like the grain of wheat I too must die to (give up or abandon) self interest and greed so that I can bear much fruit. Loving ones life is selfishness, hating ones life is service to others and generosity towards others. This is what brings the fruit of freedom and peace.
It is not winning the lottery that brings happiness, peace and freedom. It is giving it away. Next week I will continue examining this Christian freedom.