Kulandai Albert csc –
Readings: 1 Tim 2: 1-8; Jn 8: 31-42
Today we Indians celebrate Republic Day. The day on which our constitution comes into effect. On this day, from the liturgy the word I would like to focus on the theme “True disciple with freedom”. The real freedom, according to Christianity, is to choose good and deny evil.
Therefore, St. Thomas Aquinas says, ‘the greatest freedom lies in the inability to sin, not because we are perfect or have no choice in the matter, but because choosing the good is so ingrained in us that choosing evil isn’t even on our radar’. The real freedom makes us true
disciples of Jesus. Worldly freedom enslaves us to evil and sin.
In today’s gospel Jesus speaks about who is a true disciple. He says that by listening to him, we can know the truth and that truth will make us free. In the first reading, St. Paul urges us that as a Christian our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith.
Therefore, these readings invite us to be a true disciple of Jesus with freedom. By reading and listening to the holy scripture we come to know the truth. The truth will guide us to choose good alone and deny evil. As we are created in the image and likeness of God, we are ingrained to choose good. But still as humans we are always tempted and have a natural inclination towards evil.
Therefore, today Jesus invites us to be a true disciple by knowing the truth that he is the true saviour. As a true disciple of Jesus, we are called to be pure in heart, good in conscience, and sincere in faith. through this we become true disciples in love with freedom. Let us pray that we have the ability to choose good alone and become a true disciple of Jesus.