God-given Freedom (07/04/2024)

Today, across this country, individuals and communities celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the birth of our nation. We acknowledge especially our God-given freedom as stated most eloquently in the declaration’s second sentence:

 "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Our all-loving and all-knowing LORD created us to be free. The LORD gave us free will. Let us consider seriously and thoughtfully this day the LORD’s desire for us to be free, the LORD’s divine design that includes our freedom. From the very beginning, our freedom to choose love and to choose life have been given to us by our Creator.

As we consider our freedoms today, let us consider also some wisdom from Pope John Paul II who wrote:

·       “Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought.”

·       “When freedom does not have a purpose, when it does not wish to know anything about the rule of law engraved in the hearts of men and women, when it does not listen to the voice of conscience, it turns against humanity and society.”

Our LORD created us free. Our LORD’s will is that we be free. Our freedom is a gift from our LORD. How will we use that freedom this day and the next? What will we make of this gift? Will we use it to choose the path of love, to act with love for our LORD and one another?

Our LORD was at the heart of the creation of this nation. Our declaration heralds the LORD’s role in our existence. As we celebrate our individual and national freedom today, let us begin by giving thanks to the author of this freedom. As we celebrate our freedom, let us commit to living a life of intentional freedom, choosing the loving path daily to bring glory to our LORD and to love one another well.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.