Spiritual Hiccups - Truly Free

Jesus has just spoken the famous line about the truth setting you free when today's gospel reading begins.  His statement provokes his opponents to say, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, 'You will be made free'?"

We Americans are justifiably proud of our freedoms.  Many of us chafe at the notion of being told what to do, sometimes to our own detriment.  But just how free are we and how captive to forces we scarcely recognize?  Are we like Jesus' opponents in the gospel reading, clinging to an illusion of freedom when we are, to use Jesus' language, slaves?

Think of the things that drive and motivate us.  Where do they come from?  Did we freely choose these motivations, or were they acquired in some other manner?  And do our motivations conform to what Jesus says is truly important, loving God and neighbor, and serving others?

Over the years I have met a few people who seemed to have a spiritual depth and maturity far beyond most folks, certainly far beyond me.  And one of the constants about these folks is how free from anxiety they seem.  They are often driven to work hard and serve God in amazing ways, but they seem totally unconcerned with whether or not they have what other people have, whether they are admired, whether they are "successful."  They are, in a way that I sometimes envy, remarkably free.

Jesus says such freedom is available to us, that his truth can free us in ways much more profound than what we usually mean by freedom.  Imagine being freed from the fears and anxieties that sometimes shape our lives.  Imagine being truly free.

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