Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.”

 

Gospel Reading: John 8:31-42

 

Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, "If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone.  How can you say, 'You will become free'?" Jesus answered them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains.  So if the Son frees you, then you will truly be free. I know that you are descendants of Abraham. But you are trying to kill me, because my word has no room among you.  I tell you what I have seen in the Father's presence; then do what you have heard from the Father."  They answered and said to him, "Our father is Abraham."  Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works of Abraham.  But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God; Abraham did not do this. You are doing the works of your father!" So they said to him, "We were not born of fornication.  We have one Father, God."  Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and am here; I did not come on my own, but he sent me."

 

Why is sin so alluring yet it captivates us into a life of slavery.  Sin burdens our life and prevents us from spiritual growth.  Sin also blinds us from knowing and bonding with God.  Jesus tells us, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus is questioned by those who believe in him. They ask Jesus, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone.  How can you say, 'You will become free'?” The answer is simple, “Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.” We make ourselves slaves to sin and to the material world. Our wants, our desires can become the master who keeps us from the freedom we experience through God’s love and mercy. When it becomes our will and not His, we fall prey to the lures that trap us into the bondage of sin. Jesus tells us that “slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains.  So if the Son frees you, then you will truly be free.” To free ourselves from slavery, we must submit to God’s will. We are rewarded for our faithfulness with eternal life with our Father in heaven. Jesus defeated sin on the cross and defeated death through His resurrection. He gave his life so that we too could experience eternal life in heaven. He was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for us. He was whipped and beaten for our sins. According to St. Bridget of Sweden, Christ took over 5,400 lashings for our sins.  In these actions, he releases us from the bonds of slavery. All we need to do is to submit to his will. Through the gift and power of the Holy Spirit, we can chose to renounce sin and walk with Christ. We can chose to be a disciple of Christ. A disciple is one who listens and follows the Word of God. We must humble ourselves and open our hearts to his love and mercy. Once we do this, we become truly free from the bonds of sin and the material world.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord Jesus, make me a disciple of your love and mercy.

Free me from the bonds of sin and the material world

So I may share your love and grace with others.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon