My apologies for not writing these past days! Have they been busy days for you too? :)
Today's first reading from St. Paul is written to Timothy during Paul's time of imprisonment. He is imprisoned, yet he is still free because nothing can chain, stop or inhibit the grace of God from working within and outside of a disciple of Jesus. I cannot help but consider the things, attitudes, or other human realities that I allow to imprison me. If I would only let go of some of these unnecessary possessions!
My true freedom can only be taken away from me if I allow it to be taken away, or if I give it away. Jesus' words that "No one takes my life from me. I lay it down of my own free will" is a noble reminder in retrospect, of how he stood before Pilate as a truly free man, though he was about to be taken away to scourging and the cross.
I can live in the freedom that God created me to live in if I allow God to help me. I am free to accept or to reject God's graces and love. I am free to go it my own, through life, without God. I am free to alienate myself from family, friends and strangers. I can freely choose to hurt others. But why would I want to use my gift of freedom like that?
Lord God, help me to be truly free and to let you help me break the chains that bind me. Let me soar like and eagle!
Or . . . Fly like a BIRD! :)
Today's first reading from St. Paul is written to Timothy during Paul's time of imprisonment. He is imprisoned, yet he is still free because nothing can chain, stop or inhibit the grace of God from working within and outside of a disciple of Jesus. I cannot help but consider the things, attitudes, or other human realities that I allow to imprison me. If I would only let go of some of these unnecessary possessions!
My true freedom can only be taken away from me if I allow it to be taken away, or if I give it away. Jesus' words that "No one takes my life from me. I lay it down of my own free will" is a noble reminder in retrospect, of how he stood before Pilate as a truly free man, though he was about to be taken away to scourging and the cross.
I can live in the freedom that God created me to live in if I allow God to help me. I am free to accept or to reject God's graces and love. I am free to go it my own, through life, without God. I am free to alienate myself from family, friends and strangers. I can freely choose to hurt others. But why would I want to use my gift of freedom like that?
Lord God, help me to be truly free and to let you help me break the chains that bind me. Let me soar like and eagle!
Or . . . Fly like a BIRD! :)