Pursuing Independence

 


HOMILY FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY


We are celebrating a particular kind of independence: no longer allowing ourselves to be subjected to the British Crown. This bold decision was made official on July 4th, 1776, with the Continental Congress issuing its Declaration of Independence. Of course, it wasn’t going to be that easy. Battles would be fought, some of them being counted as victories and some of them being counted as defeats. Blood would be spilled and lives would be lost. But in the end, we earned our independence. We would no longer have to serve under the dominion of a foreign power. 


Another bold decision stands before us: are we committed to the concept of spiritual freedom? Jesus arrives in our world, proclaiming liberty to those who are being held captive (Luke 4:18). We hear that when the Son of Man has set you free, then you are free indeed (John 8:36). Free from what, exactly? In what way are we being held captive? Look within yourself. Think about all of those impulses, those desires, those appetites. When they speak, what does this mean for you? All too often, it means subjection. When the impulse registers, you feel that you have to act on that impulse. It rules you. When a desire flares, you pursue it. You find that you are being governed by your appetites. 


Is this acceptable? Are you okay living under the dominion of an occupying power? You live with it, for a while. But the words spoken by Jesus are appealing to you. You ask yourself: Do I always have to act on this impulse? Do I always have to pursue this desire? Do I always have to satisfy my inner appetites? Can I say no? Do I have the ability to say no? Or am I like a slave who has to obey his/her master? A voice inside of you answers by insisting that it has to be this way. You have no choice in the matter. You have to obey the impulse—EVERY TIME IT CALLS OUT TO YOU!! You have to obey the desire—EVERY TIME IT CALLS OUT TO YOU!! You have to obey the inward appetite—EVERY TIME IT CALLS OUT TO YOU!! 


Still, you are drawn to the message of Jesus. You are also struck by the message of St. Paul. He names the issue in Roman chapter six: sin has the capacity to enslave you. But through Christ you can be set free. It occurs to you: I do have a bond with Christ; I have received the sacrament of Baptism. And yet, these words were expressed on my behalf. It’s clear that my parents and my godparents were speaking for me. Now it’s time for me to make my own declaration. I have reached my own Fourth of July, 1776 moment: I am truly going to take Jesus at his word; I am going to acknowledge him as my source of liberation! 


Can it therefore be said that your desires will no longer overtake you? Will you never again be overcome by your impulses or your appetites? Actually, you will fall from time to time, even if the Lord has been enlisted as your liberator. That explains why we have the sacrament called Confession. The difference however is that you have now discovered the ability to say no. You literally can say no when your desires, your impulses, your appetites are being manifested. It happens sometimes that you end up saying yes. Again, this is why the sacrament of Penance  is being made available to us. And yet, you likewise have the option of saying no. It’s a real option. It’s an option that Jesus provides. Take advantage of this gift—the gift of authentic liberty. 

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