We have struggled to live with the pandemic for a year and beginning to see a ray of  hope in the far end of the tunnel but the uncertainties haunt us if and when we are able to return to our life like before the pandemic a year ago. The ‘freedom’ to associate and move around in person to participate in social interactions, to develop and grow relationships within the family or the society or the world.  During this year,  I  am offered more time and opportunity when I can choose to listen to the Word of God, treasure and share its riches. All the more I feel there is an inner struggle within me to comprehend this question: “what is true freedom?”  I tend to reflect on the freedom the world is defining and propagating and the “true freedom” which I am confronted within me. Am I missing an element which is vital to satisfy “true freedom”?
          In my attempts to seek if there is a missing element I begin to realize that I am my own enemy. I am shepherded to defeat my inauthentic self to enable me to receive the grace of God through the Holy Spirit to radically be transformed from fear, ignorance, prejudices, judgmental thoughts, malicious inclinations and other ills. Only by opening up my mind and heart, I am freeing my inner self to be enabled to possess the capability to counter negative influences, in my endeavor to live a life of love and services to others and ourselves.
          We are freed from the law by Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word of God. In the covenant, God reveals himself by entering into personal relationship with his chosen people. God’s self-giving demands our response. By responding positively to live a Christ like life, we are free from the oppression of laws and regulations which are against God. We utilize this ‘true freedom’ to bear the fruits of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, (Gal 5:22). By the grace of God through the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to freely fulfill the Divine Will and be in a state of grace free from sins, living a righteous life on earth, after death, we will be granted “eternal rest” and enjoy in perpetuity, the fullness of God’s love in heaven.