Freedom in Adversity

“Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought.” John Paul II

I was recently sent article link by a priest friend of mine who usually reads my articles. He wanted to share another story with me via email since he lives in another country. I was quite struck by the article and felt the need to write about my ideas. In the story, Etty Hillesum died on November 30, 1943. Years later, many realities came out of the concentration camps along with many other innocents. She died at Auschwitz. The diary and numerous letters she left us testify to a view of life and men “transfigured by faith,” which made her feel free in an oppressive and murderous world, a view that – eighty-one years later – continues to question and move us. We live in a reality around us that freedom is doing whatever we want. In theory, yes, we can do whatever we want – but at what cost? It involves deeper questions. Sometimes we feel suffocated by others, by society, by many things and we cannot do what we want. Some people have obligations, others have responsibilities that they do not want but must do in any case. Where can we find this freedom that we all are searching for. There are many kinds of prisons. I had read the book, The Man Who Got Even with God. John Hanning, and American Ex-Cowboy. He was from Kentucky but died as a Trappist Monk. There are many examples in the Church of men and women who sacrificed something for God. This is one that struck me. He was likely a ‘free spirit’ but obviously what he was living was not enough.

“Most modern freedom is at root fear. It is not so much that we are too bold to endure rules: it is rather that we are too timid to endure responsibilities.” GK Chesterton

St. Dymphna was Irish, and her mother died. Her father was told to marry his daughter, and Dymphna could have easily accepted and lived in luxury. She chose not to, and she decided to follow Christ. Being independent is possible but it is not about being free. It could also be bondage. The famous story of St. Lawrence of Rome always fascinates me. He was instructed by the emperor to bring all the treasures of the church. He brought the poor and sick and told the authorities he had done what was asked. In true freedom in Christ, he sacrificed himself for the Church. He died for it. How many saints must have died for this. There are likely many people still suffering persecution because they cannot freely practice their faith. God prevails – always.

“Love God, serve God; everything is in that.” St. Clare of Assisi

We live in a tech world, full of distractions. We can do whatever we want. The curious thing for me is how so many people are enslaved by many things – fear, money, family, among a host of other things. We cannot stop at these obstacles. We can only throw our trust on Christ. He showed us what true freedom is in all His humility. Let us continue to seek the truth in everything we do. I listened to a talk recently. One question from that talk was asked of us. What is the desire of your heart? It is a big question but if we leave time for silence, if we listen, we might just be able to hear the answer.

“Let your constant practice be to offer yourself to God, that He may do with you what He pleases.” St. Aloysius Gonzaga