Tag: Freedom is not license

Free to Serve One Another in Love (Fri, Sept. 23)

· Fr. Basil 2 Leave a Comment on %s
The word of the day is “freedom.” What do people have in mind when they seek freedom? They seek release from whatever controls or threatens to restrain them. And yet, in the name of freedom, many let themselves be dominated by all sorts of indulgences: the pursuit of fame, wealth, adventure, comfort, lust, and power. In today’s reading of Galatians 5:11-21, Paul writes, “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (OSB vs. 13). Today we will learn what should control us as those who are free in Christ. Imagine that a group of children are in a candy shop. The storekeeper announces that she will be stepping…

The Slavery of License and the Freedom of Being God’s Own (Tues. August 3)

· Fr. Basil
The word of the day is “God’s.”  In our study of Romans, we learned that Paul proclaimed freedom from the Mosaic Law.  But does that freedom mean license to do whatever one pleases?  Today in our reading of 1 Corinthians 6:20-7:12, St. Paul discusses various cases of sexual relations.  Upholding the principle of genuine freedom, the apostle states, “For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s (OSB 1 Cor. 6:20).  Today, we will explore the difference between the slavery of license and the freedom of Christian liberty. The Roman statesman Cicero (+43 BC) wrote, “Maritime cities also suffer a certain corruption and degeneration of morals; for they receive a mixture…