God created human person in his own image and likeness, as the Bible teaches us. He endowed us also with intellect and will. With intellect we are able to know what is good or bad and with the will, we are able to choose. Thus, true freedom is the gift of God.
Human freedom has two dimensions: Freedom from coercion and Freedom of choice. Freedom from coercion is the freedom to act or to do without any obstacles from outside agents. For example, freedom of expression, freedom of religion, freedom of the press etc. Freedom of choice denotes the ability to decide autonomously. Freedom of choice in the moral sense refers to one’s capability to choose and love God, the Greatest Good, without being enslaved by sin or any disorderly passion.
The exercise of human freedom does not imply a right to say or do everything, that one may be interested in or to maintain that the human person is fully self-sufficient and his/her finality is the satisfaction in the enjoyment of the earthly goods (Cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church No.1740).
God gave freedom to human person, in order that he/she, of his/her own accord, may seek, love and cling to the Creator and thus attain one’s blessedness. It is in making such a choice and ridding oneself of slavery to sin that the human dignity can be established and can press forward towards reaching our goal.
On account of the original sin, the true freedom that we received from God, became subject to the slavery of sin. “By refusing God’s plan of love, he … became slave to sin. This first alienation engendered a multitude of others… From its outset, human history attests … the abuse of freedom” (Catechism of the Catholic Church No.1739).
Nevertheless, Christ, by his glorious Cross has redeemed us from sin. “For freedom Christ has set us free” (Galatians 5:1). The more we are docile to the promptings of grace and the Holy Spirit, the more we can grow in the inner freedom (Cf. CCC No.1742).
God bless you
Fr. Arul Joseph V.
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