The Guarantee of Freedom

Meditation for Monday of the 28th in Ordinary Time, Year C
(Gal 4:22-23, 26-27, 31-5:1; Lk 11:29-32)

Our meditations on St Paul’s Letter to the Galatians is sliding towards conclusion. At this point, St Paul begins to make demonstrations and give examples to proof his argument. He talks about the two sons of Abraham, one born of the slave woman, the other born of the free woman. “Now this is an allegory: these women are two covenants.” Those who insist that it is by their observance of the law that they are justified are like the children of Hagar, born as slaves. On the other hand, those who accept the true gospel that they are justified by faith in Jesus Christ are like the children of the free woman. “So, brethren, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman. For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”

 

What is that knowledge of Christ you have today? Think about your understanding of prayer; are you a miracle seeker, or you see prayer as a way of communicating with God. Sometimes human needs and situations in life lure us to pervert the gospel in us. In the gospel of today, Jesus condemned the miracle seekers, saying, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” As we meditate on the readings, we can ‘perceive’ the countenance of Jesus for those who approached Him with the wrong understanding of His presence among us.

 

True faith in Jesus guarantees us the freedom of the children of God (Rm 8:21). This freedom makes our hearts light, bright and beautiful. Wrapped in this cloud of freedom, we can hear the gentle voice of creativity and vision. Then, we can make choices that are authentic and abiding, because it is only in freedom that the human will operates at full capacity. That is why only the free children of God can give genuine worship, and overcome every obstacle. Guided by faith in Jesus Christ, and powered by grace, the free children of God embrace the good times and bad times of their lives without compunction, restriction, etc, since faith assures us that all things work for good for those who love Him (Rm 8:28). Amen.

 

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Monday October 10, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com