You will know the truth and the truth will set you free (Jn 8:32)
The concept of freedom has aroused various emotions for centuries. It is not even easy to determine what freedom is. Living in turbulent times, many people dream of freedom and want to get it in different ways. Some people need inner freedom. Others, on the other hand, make freedom dependent on the policy of their state. So, what is freedom? Is freedom the absence of limits? Or is it the absence of imposed rules?
The answer to this question can be found in today's Gospel. Jesus, speaking to the Jews, says: If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (Jn 8:31-32). What makes us free is listening to Jesus' words. This must be followed by the attitude of becoming a disciple of Jesus. However, this is still not enough. A disciple of Jesus, in order to be free, must forsake sin. Whoever commits sin becomes a slave to sin. Sin takes away man's freedom and causes man to lose his freedom. St. Augustine even wrote that he is not free who is a slave to his transgressions. Therefore, if we want to be free, we must, hearing the words of Jesus, forsake sin. In this way, we can experience what true freedom is.
Such an experience of freedom was experienced in his life by the famous English writer Gilbert Chesterton. In his autobiography he wrote: "When people ask me why I went to the Catholic Church, the first important answer is: to be freed from sins. For there is no other religion that can truthfully claim to deliver people from their sins."
Jesus, by leaving us the sacrament of confession, gives us the opportunity to be freed from our sins. Sin is a disease of the soul that takes away man's freedom. While sin itself may create a sense of freedom at first, it ultimately leads to enslavement. The grace of confession restores our lost freedom.
Today's Gospel also places before us a certain relationship between truth and freedom. Jesus says that the truth will set us free. Without truth there is no freedom. André Frossard, a prominent writer and friend of the Pope, once asked Saint John Paul II which sentence from the Gospel he would choose if he had to give us only one single sentence. He supposed that John Paul II would need a moment to think. Meanwhile, the Pope answered without hesitation: You will know the truth and the truth will set you free (Jn 8:32).
Our life must be a constant search for truth. Without it, we will never be free. This freedom is given to us by God. May our attitude of standing in the truth make us children of God.
Thoughts from Saint Faustina: During Holy Hour today, I asked the Lord Jesus if He would deign to teach me about the spiritual life, Jesus answered me, My daughter, faithfully live up to the words which I speak to you. Do not value any external thing too highly, even if it were to seem very precious to you. Let go of yourself, and abide with Me continually. Entrust everything to Me and do nothing on your own, and you will always have great freedom of spirit. No circumstances or events will ever be able to upset you. Set little store on what people say. Let everyone judge you as they like. Do not make excuses for yourself, it will do you no harm. Give away everything at the first sign of a demand, even if they were the most necessary things. Do not ask for anything without consulting Me. Allow them to take away even what is due you – respect, your good name – let your spirit rise above all that. And so, set free from everything, rest close to My Heart, not allowing your peace to be disturbed by anything. My pupil, consider (62) the words which I have spoken to you. (Diary 1685)
fr. george