Celebrating freedom and our nations long history of living that freedom, gives me pause to reflect on what it is to be free. In the Christian tradition, freedom is an essential factor. God created us free and called us throughout history to work for the freedom of others as well. But freedom is not license.

As a member of the flower-child generation I was raised with the old song Freedom isnt free. I didnt really understand that as a youth, but with time and the study of Catholic doctrine, I began to understand that freedom is a response to the loving gifts of God. A responsibility comes with such freedom, not to do whatever you want, but to work toward what is good for you and those around you. Freedom is about our future together. It is about caring for the least among us without prejudice. It is about living with an openness to others in need and a fierce love for family that calls us to sacrifice.

I am well aware that sacrifice is not politically correct these days. We are in a society that centers on the needs and wants of the individual first, and almost exclusively. But the Lord calls us to be relational beings. From the very beginning we are created to be with one another and to help one another. So our freedom is part of the package that calls us to move forward together, not alone.

Freedom likewise gives us a whole new perspective. In freedom we can see a future filled with hope and promise. Our forefathers were willing to give their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor for the work of freedom. We in the religious traditions, see freedom as the gift of courage to live without reservations, the will of God as we know it from scripture and teaching. It is the strength to persevere in times of trouble and pushback. (cf the martyrs!) It is based on the innate yearning of the human person for truth. We cannot find truth if we are not free to pursue it. And, we cannot pursue it far, if we dont cooperation with one another in living that freedom which makes the effort possible.

So freedom is about the ability to choose what is right. What is right comes from God and we are given the intelligence and capacity to act freely. We believe, in my tradition, that we are not hindered by outside forces, inner compulsions, social pressures, or genetic makeup. We are not determined by all these forces albeit these forces can limit our freedom. Nonetheless, we are created free and called to exercise that freedom as best we can. We have the freedom to see beyond them, to the true vision of what God wants for us, i.e. happiness.

Happiness, of course, is not just feeling good and being pleased with our surroundings. Happiness is a fulfillment in life that comes with living in joy, loving passionately and giving ourselves to a larger picture. Giving ourselves to God.

So in this time of remembering our freedoms given by our national Constitution and the dream begun long ago (241 years), let us join our forefathers in seeking the freedom that allows us to become all that we have been called to be in the image of God.

Father Leo Proxell was ordained in 1977 and currently serves as Pastor at Bozemans Holy Rosary Catholic Church. He loves to sing and travels extensively. He also loves to laugh, tell jokes and great stories. He says that humor is a great road to the goodness of God.

Originally posted here:

Freedom about ability to do what is right - The Bozeman Daily Chronicle