Encouragement
Saudi Arabia abolished slavery in 1962. Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation abolished slavery in the United States exactly a century earlier. To us, that's ancient history.
And yet, we are still living under the scourge of slavery in some way, for Jesus proclaimed that all sin is a pernicious form of slavery: "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin" (Jn 8:34). Peter stated, " A man is a slave to whatever has mastered him" (2 Pt 2:19) - a sobering thought for anyone with any addiction, including an addiction to sin (for sin itself is addictive). Even Paul, in acknowledging his weakness, wrote to the Romans, who were familiar with slavery, "I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin" (Rom 7:14). Yet he found freedom in Christ (8:2).
Just as some countries cling to slavery for centruies before repudiating it, we as individuals may cing to enslaving habits of sin, from gossip to adultery. Unless our soul is illumined by the Spirit's luminous grace, exposing the horrendous nature of sin as " a disgrace to any people" (Prv 14:34), we'll remain enslaved. "All wrongdoing is sin" (1 Jn 5:17), and recognizing it as such is itself a grace by which God seeks to enlighten a wayward soul: "You have set your...sins in the light of your presence" (Ps 90:8).
If you really hate being enslaved, try a "conscience survey." Then turn to Jesus to break your bondage of slavery to sin.
This excerpt is from the book One-Minute Meditations for Busy People, by John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications. It and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/video recordings can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408 or www.Catholicbooks.net