The Yoke Of Slavery

Galatians 5:1-6 - For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.

It is I, Paul, who am telling you that if you have yourselves circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. Once again I declare to every man who has himself circumcised that he is bound to observe the entire law. You are separated from Christ, you who are trying to be satisfied by law; you have fallen from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we await the hop of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision not uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. 

Thoughts: Babies often cry when they are in a large open area. After spending 9 months in the comfortable confines of the womb, they feel scared and alone when in an open area. In other words they have too much freedom. 

One way that we used to comfort our young children, and even our older children at times, was to hold them close. When babies can feel warmth and closeness from a parent, they sense the presence of them and feel comforted. We would wrap up our children in blankets and put them in a tiny bassinet at first then move up to a crib and finally to a bed. If we put them into a bed too early they felt insecure and would cry. It is the boundaries and closeness that gives them the freedom to feel comfortable and secure. 

Those boundaries move outward as they grow older but they are still there and are still viable. When we stay in close communion with God, we will feel His love and then we will feel the freedom of knowing that we walk with God. 

Paul was writing to the Galatians because they were being led away from God when they were told they had to obey the mosaic law. They were allowing the customs become more important than the message of Jesus. 

How often do we do the same? 

We let the things of this world become more important than our faith. It can be television or drinking. It can even be something that seems good; a church committee or organization, daily devotions like mass or the rosary. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the act of doing these things and not resting in the love of Christ which should drive all of our desires. 

So, let’s walk within the boundaries of God’s love and let that love be the driving force behind our actions as faithful disciples of Christ.

An Oath to Abraham

Luke 1:73-75 - This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hands of our enemies, free to worship him without fear; holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.

Thoughts:  In our society there are many oaths that are taken by people at different times. When a politician takes office they swear an oath to serve the people, Boy scouts take a similar oath. Someone testifying in court takes an oath to tell the truth. In each case we are making a promise to our peers and authorities to undertake a duty to the best of our ability.

In the Gospel reading above God is making an oath to Abraham and the Jewish people. He is promising to set them free from their enemies where they will be free to worship him without fear. In their time punishment and death were a very real possibility if they worshiped and followed God. We know from history that God did indeed free them.

This promise of freedom through God is just as relevant for us today as it has ever been. As we go through this Lenten season I have been reflecting on just who are our enemies?  Most of us do not have to fear physical death but we have very real enemies. I look at all of the addictions that are rampant in our society today. Drugs, alcohol, pornography, money, and consumerism just to name a few. I have had issues with most of these but just as God came to set Abraham's people free, he comes to set me free also. 

I have been set free! And now, I worship him without fear and by the mercy of God I hope to stay holy and righteous in his sight all the days of my life. May we have the courage to let go of those enemies already conquered for us this Lent.

Amen!