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Freedom in Christ - Family Reflection Video

Freedom in Christ - Family Reflection Video

Why pray?  |  Strengthening family unity

For freedom Christ has set us free! (Gal. 5:1) There is a beautiful complementarity between the two readings that help us to understand this freedom. Where are you stuck in your life? How do you need to be freed?

 

 

St. Paul writes of “the ministry of death carved in stone”. That may sound pretty obscure. He is talking of the 10 commandments, the Mosaic Law.

Having freed the People of Israel from slavery in Egypt, God renewed His Covenant with them. He gave the Law. If they had kept it, if they had been faithful, they would have found tree freedom. But they were not, so the Law effectively served to condemn them. They knew what was right and wrong but they were enslaved by sin.

Moses ascended a mountain, encountered the Living God, and transmitted the Law. Jesus is the Living God, who, on another Mount, in this Sermon on the Mount from which we hear today, is giving the New Law.

It is the Way of the Beatitudes, the Law of Love to be written in our hearts. It does not negate nor reject the Mosaic Law. Rather it fulfills it. It goes to the heart of it. Now we can really understand how to live and the way to freedom, from the inside, out! From our hearts. Not only that, Christ’s Sacrifice of Himself that will ratify this New Covenant, will unleash grace upon grace and we will be able to live this way of freedom because God remains with us forever.

Where are you stuck in your life? How do you need to be freed, to live, to become all the Lord wants you to be? Maybe your marriage and your family relationships aren’t what they could be. Maybe there are parts of your personality and ways you treat others that need to change but you don’t seem to know how. Maybe some addiction. Maybe you struggle with anxiety or with self-hatred. Whatever it may be, the Lord calls you to His way to freedom.

The way to freedom is just that: a way, a journey, upon which Christ desires to lead you by the hand: through listening to the Word of God, through prayer – particularly the Rosary, through the Sacraments, through the Church, the Christian Community, through taking seriously way of life leading to holiness, ESPECIALLY THROUGH FAITHFULLY LIVING AS CHRISTIAN FAMILES. Through living the faith in the home. A journey is taken step by step keeping your eyes on the destination: holiness, freedom, true life in Christ. Holy Mother, walk with us!

 


  • Father Jim's inspirational homily was recorded live this morning during Mass at the Father Peyton Center. Please view the video on our Facebook page. (You don't need a Facebook account to view.) 

  • To view Rosary prayer and Mass streaming live, please visit our Facebook page at 11:30 am EST, Monday – Friday. Please invite your loved ones to join us too! (You don't need a Facebook account to view.)

About Fr. James Phalan, C.S.C.

Father James Phalan, C.S.C. is a Catholic priest, member of the Congregation of the Holy Cross, and the National Director of Family Rosary. He served as a missionary for many years as part of the Family Rosary team, travelling the globe to help people come to Jesus through Mary. Now he is happy to be serving back at home in the USA!