In today’s gospel Jesus says the following to his Jewish interlocutors: “If you continue in my word you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32).
The word “freedom” is thrown around a lot today. On a retreat I asked students what they thought freedom meant, to which they responded “to do whatever one desires” or a cheesy statement like, “following your heart.” Ultimately, it boils down to the rejection of some kind of authority – whether it be a teacher, parent or government official.
This sounds more like anarchy than freedom. Why? Because when we reject good authority, we run the chance of becoming enslaved to our own vices – or tendency to sin.
I’m an Expert at Justifying My Own Sin
St. Paul observes this tendency about himself in his Letter to the Romans: “ For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing” (Romans 7:19).
In my experience, I instinctively have a sense of good and bad. Yet, I do many mental gymnastics to justify my bad choices (As I wrote in yesterday’s reflection). If I’m honest with myself, my mental gymnastics are typically followed by negative consequences, not only for myself, but for those whom I claim to care for the most.
Intentionally Reflecting on Consequences
A couple of weeks ago a student expressed to me that he hates the fact how he is forced to go to school, be in class and do homework. Of course, he was rejecting the authority of his parents and teachers.
I simply asked him if he had the choice to skip school without getting into trouble what are some long-term consequences he can potentially face. Of course, we can write an exhaustive list, but here are some common consequences: 1) limiting career prospects 2) limiting future income 3) being stuck in a rut 4) limited social connections and most importantly 4) ignorance.
A choice that this student believed to be freeing would actually be enslaving. The authority of his teachers and parent are crucial for his future freedom.
As you know this is true in all areas of life. Rejecting the authority of you physician will lead to bad health. Rejecting the authority of your dentist will lead to bad teeth. Rejecting the authority of your coach will lead to bad performances. Ultimately, we become more bound by the negative consequences of rejecting authority than becoming freer; even though, in the moment we may feel liberated.
Rejecting Authority Can Sometimes Lead to Less Freedom
As we know, not all authorities have good intentions or makes good choices. But is that a good reason to reject authority, period? Of course not!
Should we reject the role of police because some police are involved in drug trafficking or sex trafficking (as was the case with the Toronto Police Department last year)? The functioning of policing is to make our society more free, by making it safer. I like going for walks with my kids without the fear of anyone kidnapping them. This just shows that human authority is fallible not that the concept of authority is inherently bad.
While human authority is certainly fallible, divine authority is not. After Jesus says, “…the truth will make you free,” the Jewish authorities ask Jesus the following: “How is it that you say, ‘You will be made free’?”
Jesus responds by explaining that “everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin,” and the only way to liberate ourselves from sin is to follow the one who sin has no affect on, Jesus. Jesus says, “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).
While we can reasonably be suspicious of human authorities, with unwavering confidence we can trust that Jesus can truly set us free because he is God and we are not.
Checking Our Pride at the Door
I want to conclude with an exchange between God and Job in the Old Testament. As Job complains to God about life, God responds with the following: “Where were you when I laid the foundation for the earth? Tell me if you have understanding!” (Job 38:4).
Personally, I’m with St. Paul. I recognize that sometimes I’m a moron and make choices that I instinctively know are wrong, but in the moment I convince myself they are right. At the end of the day I turn to Jesus for true freedom and liberation because, who am I to question the One who laid the foundations for the universe.
Let us pray,
Almighty and Powerful God, we thank you for emptying yourself to be among us in Jesus Christ. We are sorry for the times our pride blinds us from seeing your love for us. With humility, we pray that you guide us in all aspects of our lives. We pray in your mighty name. Amen.
