Freedom's Folly

A Reflection on the Second Reading for June 26th, 2022:
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Galatians
5.1, 13-18

Brothers and sisters: For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another.

For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law.

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Freedom is a curious concept. It’s a little counterintuitive, I think – and it frustrates me that Christianity is often viewed as a set of rules that take away our autonomy as human beings. The truth is, we are all enslaved by something, and I have learned from painful experience that I would personally rather be accountable to God (who loves me and has my best interests at heart) than to the motivations of others, or even to the selfish desires of my own heart.   

As an example, I consider the common human inclination to gossip. If I discern the temptation to gossip, I see that I am seeking connection and common ground with others, validation of my opinions, and perhaps even amusement or humour. In the process, I belittle the other for my own benefit. I find a connection with others that is actually on a shaky foundation because it serves only my own needs. 

Alternatively, the more I rest on the secure foundation of a deep knowledge of God’s love for me, the less I need others to validate me. I don’t need to hold myself above anyone else. If I can transform someone’s invitation to gossip into an opportunity to seek out what is in their heart, then not only do I gain true connection, but I am also free from being convicted of having spoken unbecoming words about someone, or of spreading untruth. I become a trustworthy, safe haven for people because they know I won’t speak about what is important to their hearts to others.

In the end, I can see how the freedom to gossip is transformed into the greater freedom of God’s peace – conforming to His will is where true freedom lies. It brings to life the commandment to love one another as God has loved us – without seeking to gain a thing – and paradoxically, in doing so, we receive so much more.

Thank you, Lord, for this reminder of the importance of resting in Your love for us, and resisting desires that may feel more easily met in the moment of temptation. You are the solid foundation upon which we stand! Amen.

"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock." (Matthew 7.24-25)




Lindsay Elford

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