By Zoe Cannon
Gratitude for the Gift of Faith
“For freedom Christ set us free; so, stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1).
In his exhortation to the Galatians, Paul expounds on the importance of faith over law, and freedom over slavery. God wants us to come to him when we are weighed down with worries. Our lives are less burdensome when we trust in his mercy and love. The Ten Commandments outline the omnipotence of God and how we are to treat one another.
The nature of slavery and the destruction from immorality are a common theme in scripture, this bondage to sin plagues our culture today. God’s mercy commands justice for all people, not only the marginalized and vulnerable, and not just in a physical way, but spiritual. Our spiritual freedom and true liberation come through Christ, as we know that he died for the sins of the world. So why are we still enslaved by sin? We have a responsibility to follow the teachings of Jesus concerning forgiveness and reconciliation. Loving those who mistreat us and forgiving them are a challenge. Just as we are recipients of God’s grace, we must also extend grace to others.
In paragraph 1730 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, it states: God created man a rational being, conferring on him the dignity of a person who can initiate and control his own actions. “God willed that man should be ‘left in the hand of his own counsel,’ so that he might of his own accord seek his Creator and freely attain his full and blessed perfection by cleaving to him.”
The disobedience of Adam and Eve, and their expulsion from Eden are a direct link to the sinful state we live in. Their choices not only created a loss of innocence but separation from God. We are given the gift of free will with the ability to choose between different outcomes and consequences. This does not mean we can do anything we please, we must choose wisely. It is important to forgive others and remember to forgive your own failures. A call to repent is a choice!
In religion class, we discussed the importance of offering up or doing something extra during the 40 days of Lent. We read Old and New Testament stories of the significance in 40 days or 40 years: Noah and the flood, the Israelites’ 40 years in the desert, Moses on Mount Sinai before receiving the Ten Commandments, Nineveh given 40 days to repent, Jesus praying 40 days before beginning his ministry, and the days between the Resurrection and the Ascension. After studying the broken covenants with God, my students decided it would be wise to do things that develop good habits, as well as short-term sacrifices. The 40 days of the Lenten Season remind us to “repent and believe in the gospel.” We need the faith of Abraham, the obedience of Isaac, the courage of David, the wisdom of Solomon, the guidance of Moses, the perseverance of James, the conversion of Paul, and a willingness to embrace victory in the Crucifixion of Jesus — He is our salvation and redemption. Attain your full perfection by seeking God. Do not submit to slavery — and do not be misled! Stand firm! Amen!