by: Theresa Martin, Executive Director
Friends, what a joy it is to live a life freely in faith and love! St. John Paul II placed the value of human freedom at one of the highest levels. When asked what his favorite scripture passage was, he was known to have said John 8:32: “and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Yet, what is true freedom? And what effect does living in freedom have on our spiritual life? (Let’s find out, shall we?)
Every act we do, St. John Paul II says, affects us. Each action either integrates us more clearly into the image and likeness of God or breaks down our ability to reflect the image of God. When we more clearly reflect the image of God, we can more fully love. When we love more entirely, we find tremendous spiritual growth and deep, abiding joy.
How do we allow God to shine through us more? We accept the reality of His presence in each moment and choose to work with Him. When we ignore, or worse reject, His presence in the moment, our actions cloud His image in us. Like a shattered mirror, we are no longer able to clearly reflect Him. And these actions bind us – they hold us down and slowly steal our freedom. And when we are shattered, we are not able to fully enter into relationship with others, not able to fully give ourselves in love.
Which types of actions are most powerful? The ones where we have full agency. By agency we mean you are the main deciding party, and using your freedom in this moment. You are not simply following someone else, but in full awareness, you are flexing your freedom for God.
In many ways, our society has become easy. Things are done immediately for us; we sit back and allow ourselves to be entertained; we expect things to be served; we become passive. While entertainment in moderation is not bad, the danger is that this mentality can creep into our faith life. One might attend Mass and sit in the pew as a spectator at a show, instead of an active participant of prayer. Our faith is not just a 6-week program, but a lifetime of love!
John Paul II’s Rule is not a long list of prescribed things to do and follow in order to be holy. It is a guideline that must be worked out uniquely in your marriage – worked and continually reworked he says! While we know life circumstances vary and the groups require a one year at a time commitment, our holy father imagined it to be a way of life! Our faith doesn’t take a break in the summer. It is a vibrant relationship with God.
Sometimes, while programs can be good, the mentality a program creates is more passive than active. One may think, “Okay I don’t have to think much about it, just follow these 5 steps to great holiness!” There is no quick-fix in the spiritual life. Would you ever consider your best friend a chore to be around? Of course not! You enjoy your time together and you’re not counting the days until you can take a break from them.
To find the joy of the Saints, we must enter into a lifelong relationship with God, one that never ends! (Thank goodness!) Following St. John Paul II’s Rule, in a gentle and simple way, puts the agency of our faith back into our hands. This is a great thing! Because it means we get to flex our freedom muscle to the full extent in our actions and therefore, cause the highest levels of transformation in each action – more and more into a clearer version of the image and likeness of God. This, in turn, allows us to more fully love others as well as God, and propels us into a deeper spiritual life and a life bursting with joy!