The Bethlen Home Messenger, 1992-1993 (1-4. szám)
1993-06-01 / 3. szám
(Efyaplam’s (Horner by Rev. Joseph Posta THOUGHTS ABOUT FREEDOM Every year, on July 4th, thousands of people line up for hours at the National Archives building in Washington, D.C., just to catch a glimpse of the original document which talks about freedom. Now, more than two hundred years later, that great document is being celebrated by a grateful nation. The document is America’s basic symbol of what freedom and independence are all about. It is worth celebrating, yearin and year out. But the most important, most enriching, most fulfilling note that needs to be sounded in any freedom celebration has not been coming through in a loud and noisy celebration. The freedom to which we are called is the freedom from the brain strain and the heart pain of needless worry and anxiety over that which is beyond our control. In a figurative sense, it is a freedom which enables us to distinguish between our proper concerns and God’s concerns. It is freedom which enables us to say, “I know I am doing my Best, therefore, I know the rest is in God’s hands”. Here at the Bethlen Home, as we celebrate the Liberty Day on the 4th of July, we must understand that this freedom in which we live is not a shallow kind of liberty. It is very precious and worth celebrating. Jesus saying about Himself: “He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, and proclaim liberty to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind and release to the prisoners ...” It is important for us, especially today, to talk about this, because the subject is central to the Biblical message about freedom. The Biblical writers were very much aware of what a priceless gift freedom is. They understood also that, in itself, freedom is not the most important thing. The reality of God is the important thing. They knew that it is only through responsible use of freedom that the power of God is released to the benefit of mankind. They knew that when freedom is used in an irresponsible way, the channels of God’s power are closed off. In the letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle describes himself as a prisoner for the Lord. Yet, Paul wrote to the Christians of his day: “It isfor Freedom that Christ has set us free, therefore stand fast in the freedom to which you have been called”. Becoming a prisoner of the Lord is accomplished only by the free act of unreserved, total voluntary surrender. “THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE,” St. John writes in his Gospel. Only by allowing the truth which is the Christ to completely overtake us, to enslave us, so to speak, can we free ourselves from the bonds of the brain strain, heart pain, and all the other symptoms of the uptightness of our time. “Stand fast in the freedom to which you have been called,” says Paul. Christ has set us free to expect the unexpected, to trust in the mercy of Divine providence. It remains to be said, however, that the freedom to which Jesus calls us is neithera mindless, superficial optimism nor an alternative to facing life’s problems. To the contrary, Jesus charges us with the responsibility of decision making every day of our lives. It is true that Jesus invites us to every day participation in the ongoing work of peace-making for the sake of freedom. We must understand that our Lord Jesus Christ does not free any of us from the responsibilities of good citizenship. He is not freeing us from the responsibilities of brotherhood and mutual service. It is good, in the darkness, to believe in the light. It is good, in the midst of tears, to believe in joy. It is good, in the midst of death, to believe in the life. It is good, in the midst of captivity, to believe in the liberty. If you would embrace these statements as your own, you may understand the real meaning of freedom. Also, I remind you what the Bible says: “Where there is the Spirit of God, there is Liberty ...” Wishing all of you a blessed celebration.......... Freedom
