Freedom and Joy in Faith

 

In his column in the Catholic Peace Weekly, a professor at a Catholic University gives the readers an understanding of freedom in Faith.

When we think of faith, the words duty and obedience often come to mind. Faith is thought of something unrelated to or opposed to freedom. To be saved, one must believe in the doctrine taught in the church and keep the commandments. That is correct. But does God want people who live a religious life simply out of a sense of duty?

The Church teaches that faith is obedience of the intellect and will, a free and voluntary response. What is it that we are responding to? It is a response to the invitation to life as a child of God. That life is a life of joy and exultation, not hardship and burden, a truly free life enjoyed as a child of God.

In the parable of the prodigal son (see Luke 15:11-32), the older son was so angry when his younger brother returned that he refused to go to the house to greet his brother. He worked ‘like a servant’ by his father’s side all his life. He could not tolerate his younger brother, who returned after leading a debauched life, and he could not understand his father who welcomed him. He worked hard beside his father, but his heart was not free and he was not generous enough to rejoice at the sight of his younger brother. 

Perhaps we obey our Father's words, go to church diligently, and live by keeping the commandments, but lack joy and freedom. "Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours" (Luke 15:31). God has given us everything, but is it not possible for us to live happily and joyfully as children who stay with our Father and truly receive and enjoy everything? 

Since faith has been vaguely regarded as duty and obedience, it is often thought of as having nothing to do with freedom. But let’s look at Jesus. He was a free man. He also taught those who come to him the path to a free life of joy as children of God.
 
Let us make it clear here that freedom does not mean doing whatever you want. This is an infantile life that follows fleeting desires rather than freedom. Since faith is a personal relationship with God, freedom refers to the attitude of willingly and voluntarily responding to the love of another. Freedom has something to do with spontaneity and willingness. God does not want people who believe by force or out of a sense of obligation, but rather children who respond to his love voluntarily and willingly. 

However, it is also clear that freedom is not something that is given in complete form, but something that is acquired and completed over a long period. It takes time to realize God's love, which is constantly and freely given to me through all creation, his Son, and the Church.  Often it takes a long time to realize our parents' deep love. In that sense, it can be said that faith and freedom continue to grow in an individual life and community life. The better I know God and the deeper my relationship with him through faith and life, the more freely I can love God.
 
If I do not find freedom on my own, I will always live as a slave to someone or something. Let's ask ourselves. Am I free? Am I seeking and yearning for freedom?
                                                                                 God disciplines and nurtures his children through the journey of life with various tests, and wants them to experience freedom and love. So that we can deeply experience and be transformed by his love revealed through Jesus. We are now invited to find and walk the path of such great faith.