In our modern world, freedom essentially means that we can do what we want. If you have a job with a boss telling you what to do (as is true for most of us), that limits our freedom. Yet the scriptural understanding of freedom is somewhat different. As Fr. Robert Barron explains in his Catholicism series, “Freedom is not primarily a choice, but rather the shaping of desire so as to make the achievement of the good first possible and then effortless.” Fr. Barron explains with the example of Michael Jordan playing basketball. Jordan put in long hours of tedious practice, taking instructions from many coaches over the years, in order to be able to get on the court and play all parts of the game effortlessly. Thus he became, in Fr. Barron’s words, “the freest person every to play basketball.” So for us, freedom is coming to see what gifts God has given us and developing them as God intended us to use them.
One of the keys to that understanding of freedom is that we are part of a larger community. We can look at freedom selfishly, that I can do whatever I want. That understanding of freedom leads to such things as abortion, sexual exploitation and many other evils. On the other hand, a freedom that challenges us to see ourselves as brothers and sisters can lead us to reach out to those in need and to make sacrifices for worthy causes. I think of my parents’ generation, when our nation fought World War II. My father sacrificed four years by serving in the army. My mother and many others on the home front put up with rationing and other restrictions for the good of all. Alternately, we can think of John F. Kennedy’s challenge, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”
Today’s thoughts do not just come from a reflection on Independence Day. I was away on retreat when the news broke that a resident of our neighborhood had been murdered. But after my return, I attended the meeting at the Kennedy Fire Hall in which our commissioners and our police department promoted crime prevention. Mr. Nicholson’s death seemed to be something of a wake-up call, and my of our residents were there. I had already written last week’s column, but I decided to comment this week. It was good to see so many people who wanted to make our community as safe as possible. Part of that process, they told us, is to look out for one another. The work of the police can be much easier if we are willing to do something as simple as to report any suspicious activity we might see. That willingness comes from a respect for one another. We are all in this together. Father H
