TRUE FREEDOM

If we will just carefully read and understand the 10 commandments and try to associate each one to any incident in our life when we broke the law then we'll surely find that these commandments that God gave us to follow are meant to make life easier for us. The formula for a truly happy life is the 10 Commandments. It doesn't limit freedom but enhances freedom. These commandments are meant to make us enjoy life and have peace and joy to avoid chaos and disorder. I have mentioned this before as part of the Catholicism study with Atty. Moya. He cited the example of driving in the freeway. He told us to imagine the kind of scenario if there are no rules and regulations to be followed in driving especially in the freeway. He said there would be a lot of chaos. He added by saying how can we imagine leaving our children in a day care with a playground without any fences. It will turn out to be a disaster and very unsafe place. They do not limit but protect freedom. To the extent that you can follow the 10 commandments and become free. Since the more we disobey the more we become bound and become a slave of sin. Jesus came not to destroy but to fulfill the law of the prophets. He came that we may have life in abundance. We have to exceed the letter of the law and know that the Spirit of the law gives life and makes us understand it better. St. Augustine said, "Love and obey God then do what you will." We must be united to the will of God to the best of our abilities in order to always be aligned to His will. The truth is we compromise our freedom whenever we succumb to sin. Before, I thought that free will and freedom is synonymous. I found out that only free will is unlimited but our freedom is limited and greatly depends on how we exercise our free will. When we allow ourselves to fall into sin then we become slaves of sin and lose our freedom. We always have a choice and it is whether we follow the lure of this world and fall prey to the enticements of sin or be very wise in following what is truly noble which is to follow and obey everything that today's 1st reading is telling us and achieve what God really wanted for us, true freedom. Amen. Hallelujah!

Exodus 20:1-17

...“I, the LORD, am your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery. 3 You shall not have other gods besides me...“You shall not take the name of the LORD, your God, in vain. For the LORD will not leave unpunished him who takes his name in vain. 8 “Remember to keep holy the sabbath day...“Honor your father and your mother, that you may have a long life in the land which the LORD, your God, is giving you. 13 “You shall not kill. 14 “You shall not commit adultery. 15 “You shall not steal. 16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife,...

GOD'S LAW MAKES US LIVE A VIRTUOUS LIFE (CCC 1803 "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." May we truly recognize the genuine and precious treasures that we should all strive to achieve and work for which is none other than these things spoken of in today's psalm. Amen. Hallelujah!


P S A L M
Psalm 19:8. 9. 10. 11
R: Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul; the decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. (R) 8 [9] The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the command of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eye. (R) 9 [10] The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true, all of them just. (R) 10 [11] They are more precious than gold, than a heap of purest gold; sweeter also than syrup or honey from the comb.

Mary of Magdala was a woman of the world but she was restless until she found Jesus. The same way with us, we could be experiencing some unexplainable emotions that make us anxious but if we continue to see and experience God in our lives then we are always assured that we are never alone and He will always be with us. All we have to do is follow the example of Mary Magdalene by making a complete turn (180 degrees) from our old ways and decide for Jesus. Let us get this straight, apart from God we are nothing. We must be able to connect, completely trust and surrender to God every single aspect about us especially those that we are strongly holding on to and consider very important and vital in our lives. We may be clinging on to something for the wrong reasons. Our motivation and underlying reasons whether evident or not should always have something to do with God. Whether it is a minor or major thing it is always wise to align it to God. Our wills should no longer be our own but of God our Father. Let us keep in mind that no matter how imperfect and unlimited our capacities and capabilities are for as long as we put God first in everything we say, think or do in the midst of trials and difficulties then we can surely experience God's resurrection. We have dreams, desires and longings that drive us to action. We sometimes get stuck with the idea that life here on earth is all there is to it. We must look on and move forward to the one ultimate goal that can make all things perfect and beautiful. It is important that we all come to the realization that the fullness of all things is in heaven. Amen. Hallelujah!

John 20:1-2. 11-18
...Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” 18 Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and what he told her.