Monday of Week 28 in Ordinary Time (Year II)
Galatians 4:22-24,26-27,31-5:1 | Psalm 112:1-7 | Luke 11:29-32
When Christ freed us, he meant us to remain free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1)
Of course, St. Paul refers to the slavery of sin, of the unwillingness to “love one another as I have loved you”.
Indeed, when we sin against God and against our neighbor, we voluntarily shackle ourselves to the Great Fear:
of being found out,
of our misdeeds being exposed publicly,
of being judged by our peers in the here-and-now and God in the hereafter,
of being cast out of the social groups we take for granted,
of losing “face”.
How many wealthy people, who attained their riches through dark shenanigans and taking advantage of others, fear that one revelation from a jealous competitor or angry subordinate that would expose their ugly deeds and environmentally-ruinous business practices to expensive lawsuits?
How many politicians, who privately cheated on their spouses, fear an online exposé with graphic photos or videos torpedoing their career prospects?
How many ordinary people, venting their frustration on others, fear becoming the next Facebook meme of shame?
Instead, let us turn away from sin, live our lives in the joy of God’s love, and consciously share that love with our neighbors in thought, word and deed. Then, we will be free from fear, for no one has any leverage on us. Everyone else can grab each other by the gonads in blackmail and “mutually assured destruction”1; we don’t have to play that ruinous game.
Slavery to sin – who needs it?
Lord, you freed us once and for all by Your sacrifice on the cross.
Help us recognize and use that freedom as You desire,
to raise our neighbors up as You have lifted us,
to give others life as You have gifted unto us,
to lead others to You for one great song of praise.
Amen.