Freedom is at God's core. Evil can exist only because God has given us free choice, and many difficult consequences spring from the misuse of this God-given freedom (see Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1861). Nonetheless, this freedom enables a far greater love, a far greater good, a "glory dwelling in our land" (Ps 85:10). Freely-given love and free obedience is what the Father desires (see Jn 10:17-18).
God's desire is that we will freely choose to love Him, serve Him, and love others. Freely-given love unlocks the glory of God (see Catechism, 1712). It helps remove the veil that blinds us from recognizing the truth of God's love (2 Cor 3:15-18). We live not by rules, but by the Holy Spirit of freedom (2 Cor 3:17). We live to bring joy to the Father's heart by loving Him freely.
Are you free? Do you want to be free? Repent of using your God-given freedom to prefer slavery. By God's grace, may you be set free, re-born free (Jn 8:36). Love God freely in the Spirit of freedom. "For freedom Christ has set us free" (Catechism, 1741; see also Gal 5:1).
| PRAYER: | Father, You love us freely (Hos 14:5). Give me the grace to freely choose to love and serve You every day. |
| PROMISE: | "For God, Who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts, that we in turn might make known the glory of God shining on the face of Christ." –2 Cor 4:6 |
| PRAISE: | Jack repented of listening to too many radio talk shows and returned to morning prayer time with his first Love (Rv 2:4). |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College