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April 1, 2020Today’s readings both concern a simple question: what does it mean to be free? For Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, three Jewish men living in exile, freedom meant remaining faithful to God even when faced with certain death. On the surface, it would seem King Nebuchadnezzar was in control of their freedom, given his choice whether they live or die. But these three men knew a deeper freedom, even deeper than the freedom to preserve their lives: the freedom of absolute surrender to God.
Similarly, in the Gospel, Jesus questions the Jews’ understanding of freedom based on their lineage from Abraham. Even one who is not a slave to an earthly master may not be free, Jesus tells us. The deepest freedom, the freedom from which all other freedoms are derived, is the freedom of abiding in Christ and rejecting sin. Many times we think of the Church as limiting our desire for happiness or our expression of love by telling us not to sin; but Jesus wants us to see that sin, at its core, is a type of slavery that destroys generosity and love in our hearts, and it only offers the illusion of freedom. Freedom in Christ leads us out of selfishness and isolation, and into life.
As we continue in this final week of Lent before Holy Week, we can ask ourselves: what are those things in my life that keep me from freely giving my life completely to Christ? Is God challenging me to trust him enough to let go of my attachments and let him convert my heart? Let us pray that by meditating on the Paschal Mystery in these remaining days of Lent we may recognize the love and freedom awaiting us each day.
