Tag: freedom

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The Catechism in a Year – Day 234 -Freedom and Responsibility

The Catechism gives us an overview of what it means for humans to have freedom, as well as some of the ramifications of that freedom. It introduces us to the countercultural notion that true freedom is to choose the good—the “freedom” to choose evil is merely the abuse of freedom. Fr. Mike ensures that we understand imputability and culpability because questions about intention, ignorance, and other social factors will be the hinges upon which swing the doors of sin. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1730-1738.

Click on link: https://youtu.be/fI6gSUIXRyc?si=b-PC3zzjeBQfPAm1

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Minute Meditation – Freedom in God

A good spirituality achieves two huge things simultaneously: It keeps God absolutely free, not bound by any of our formulas, and it keeps us utterly free ourselves and not forced or constrained by any circumstances whatsoever, even human laws, sin, limitations, failure, or tragedy. “It was for freedom that Christ has set us free!” as Paul writes (Galatians 5:1). Good religion keeps God free for people and keeps people free for God. We cannot improve on that.

—from the book Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps by Richard Rohr

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Minute Meditation – Identity, Justice, and Community

We will not appreciate Jesus’ loyalty to the Law and the Prophets if we do not accept his deeper understanding of freedom. I’m afraid that the cry of the French Revolution, “Liberty, equality, and fraternity,” has formed us much more than the Jesus Revolution. His cry might instead be “Identity, justice, and community.” Think about the difference. We also tend to think of freedom as freedom of movement and the liberty to choose between options. This is surely a good and important freedom. There is no indication that the great spiritual teachers, Jesus included, see it as essential, however. They seem to recognize that the world of preferences and possibilities does not of itself lead to wisdom, truth, or even depth of experience. In fact, in the spiritual life, the rule seems to be that less is more. There is almost no correlation between the number of options and the amount of truth or goodness that one attains.

—from the book Jesus’ Alternative Plan: The Sermon on the Mount
by Richard Rohr, OFM

//Franciscan Media//

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The #1 Thing That Gets in the Way of Love

Love is impossible without freedom. And what do we all want more than to love and be loved? Yet, we seem to entertain all kinds of slaveries in our lives, don’t we? We embrace the chains of distraction, selfishness and unforgiveness—and hold ourselves back from experiencing the fullest kind of love. Today, Matthew explores how Jesus helps us overcome what gets in the way of love.

Posted on

Minute Meditation – Freedom in God

A good spirituality achieves two huge things simultaneously: It keeps God absolutely free, not bound by any of our formulas, and it keeps us utterly free ourselves and not forced or constrained by any circumstances whatsoever, even human laws, sin, limitations, failure, or tragedy. “It was for freedom that Christ has set us free!” as Paul writes (Galatians 5:1). Good religion keeps God free for people and keeps people free for God. We cannot improve on that.

—from the book Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps by Richard Rohr