Have you ever felt like a bird in a cage? If so, have you ever felt set free from your cage? I suggest you reflect on this experience in your life. To help you do that, here are some examples from my own life when I felt set free. Some go way back.
Learning to print my name all by myself. (That capital S was so hard!)
Getting off the school bus on the last day of school before summer vacation and skipping up our long driveway and into the house.
Making up with my little girlfriend after some spat we had.
Walking out of the confessional.
Being accused of cheating in fourth grade (I didn’t do it, honest!) and being made to stay in during recess and “discuss the matter” with Mrs. Farrar and explaining (through my tears) that I had not cheated honest! and being believed by her and being told to go outside with the other kids who were anxiously waiting on the playground to hear if I had been found innocent or guilty of the crime.
Turning 16 and coming out of the BMV with my very own temporary driver’s license and Mom handing me the car keys.
Graduating from college.
Getting my first classroom (Notre Dame Academy, now NDCL, room 104) and being able to design my own bulletin boards and to decide where to put my teacher’s desk and how to arrange all the kids’ desks (within certain perameters, of course.)
Realizing that some of the changes made by Vatican II had opened windows I didn’t even realize were shut and feeling a gentle breeze on my face.
Life-giving friendships.
Good books, good movies, good music–too numerous to list.
Jesus was big on freedom. But freedom for Jesus was not the “do whatever you want to do” kind. It was more the “do what you ought” kind or “do the loving thing” kind. Look at Matthew 25. It challenges us to ask, “How free am I to feed the hungry…give drink to the thirsty… welcome the stranger… care for the sick… visit someone in prison?” Look at Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan. Was there ever a freer guy than that Samaritan? In the parable of the Prodigal Son, who is freer: the forgiving father or the resentful older brother? And who was freer than Jesus himself–even when he was hanging on the cross?!
But an important question to ask is this: what is our freedom FOR? To answer that question I go back to my scripture course at Duquense University (1980-1) taught by my dear friend, Fr. Demetrius Dumm, OSB. He stressed to us that freedom is the gift that we use to help others become more free. Years later I found this quote by Toni Morrison, who obviously agrees with Fr. Demetrius: “The function of freedom is to free somebody else.” Good parents are using their gift of freedom to help their children grow in freedom. Good teachers use their freedom to bestow knowledge and skills that will help their students grow in freedom. Good friends use their freedom to help each other be freed from potenial “demons” that can restrict true freedom–such as self-preoccupation, fear, pride, apathy, hopelessness.
To aid in your reflection on this vital concept of freedom, I will close with four quotations that have helped me over the years.
“Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better.” Albert Camus
Obedience to God means more freedom, for it “lifts the burden of perpetual choice.” Evelyn Underhill
“The young monk asked the Master: ‘How can I ever get emancipated?’
The Master answered: ‘Who has ever put you in bondage?'” A Zen Story
“The big question of freedom is: How do you let the goodness out?” Thomas Merton
For reflection:
Have you ever had an experience of being set free? What was that experience like for you?
Have you ever felt that you helped someone else be set free? How did that experience feel for you?
Does anything in this reflection stand out for you today?
This Saturday is the Feast of All Saints. (This year, since it falls on a Saturday it is not a holy day of obligation.) On this day we honor the thousands of saints that the Church has canonized over the centuries. In honor of this feast, I have chosen a beautiful Litany of the Saints that celebrates only a few of our saints (4:32 mins.) The Litany of the Saints is traditionally sung on Holy Saturday at the Easter Vigil. Some of the names you’ll be familiar with. But with other names you may be asking, “Who’s that?” Feel free to add your favorite saint if he or she is not included. The Saints are a diverse group of people. When it comes to sanctity, one size does not fit all. But one thing the saints share in common is this: they were FREE to love and serve God and others in their unique circumstances, by using the particular gifts God had given them. This video was made by Michella Sherliza.
(Disclaimer: I am recommending only the video “Freedom.” I am not necessarily recommending the other videos that appear after this one. Discretion is advised.)
I enthusiastically invite you to share a thought or two below.
33 Responses
Good morning, Melannie…
Good morning, all…
First, what a beautiful song! Soul-cleansing!
Second, reading your blog each Monday is like attending a mini-retreat. Soul-nourishing!
Third, As my students would say, hashtag, “The function of freedom is the free somebody else,” hashtag, Fr. Demetrius Dumm. Soul-opening!
Finally, as I grow older, I feel as if I grow freer to love, as the CSJs would say, “the dear neighbor without distinction.” Soul-deepening!
Have a wonderful day!
And thank you, John, for your soul-deepening response! Melannie
Good morning, thank you for this blog and these thought provoking words. The song and imagery are a beautiful way to start the day.
I have recently been set free from a situation that made it challenging to fully serve God through serving others. I am on a journey to discern how to best use this new found freedom in His service. Please pray I correctly discern my path.
M, I will pray for you as you discern your path into the future. I’m sure my readers will too! Melannie
The Litany of the Saints in song does provide a feeling of freedom.
Yes, our freedom is to help others be free. What a gift!
Giddy up and God Bless!
Barry, I always appreciate your “Giddy up.” Some day you must tell us how you came to choose those words for your “sign off.” I like them because it reminds me that my life is a journey–get going! Melannie
Freedom is not caring about yourself, and, instead, you care for the one in front of you.
Jim, What a great, to-the-point summary! Thank you! Melannie
The most inclusive litany as Old Testament saints included means a lot to me.
The softly sung , soprano, complimented by the tenor voices was perfection.
Blessings to you and all subscribers too!
Marilyn
Marilyn, Yes, I like the inclusivity of the litany. We can add our own loved ones too… I’d add my parents: Millie and John Svoboda, pray for us…” Blessings to you too! Melannie
What a great inspiration. My kids are grown and flourishing (God’s gift to us) and often I talk with people who are so distraught about children
“going out on their own” in the natural order of life . I remind them that they have successfully done what parents are supposed to do.
I felt real freedom about a year ago when I completed a self-led program to make dynamic neural changes to my brain. It took a year of daily work but I persevered and have found the freedom I really have never known before from anxiety. It was amazing.
And, I totally agree with you about walking out of the confessional – there’s no feeling like that feeling. I’m so grateful for that sacrament. Thank you for your thoughts and words. As always, a wonderful way to start the week.
Patt, Thanks you for your wise words on parenting… your seeking and finding of help for your anxiety, and for your appreciating of the sacrament of reconciliation… Melannie
Some of the things that stick with me as “freeing” have to do with honesty – going back into the store to pay for a cucumber I missed in my cart; going back to pay for an 11th item when I was charged for 10; sending a check to a restaurant when the server’s tip wasn’t on my credit card.
Jean, I loved your focus on honesty. I was most amazing by your last example: noticing the server’s tip was not on your credit card statement–and sending a check to the restaurant. Wow! Thanks for writing! Your cousin Melannie
Thank you for another soul nourishing blog post today. I love all of the quotes about freedom, especially from Thomas Merton, “the big question of freedom, how do you let the goodness out?” The Litany of the Saints is one of my favorite parts of the Holy Saturday liturgy. For some reason it always brings me to tears including listening to the beautiful video today.
My fondest memory of really feeling free is from an All Saints Day Mass homily years ago by my dear pastor and friend, Fr. Louis Trivison. He gave examples of how each of us are called to be saints every day of our lives. His words of assurance and encouragement of God’s love and forgiveness have stayed with me for over 30 years. Happy Saints Day to all.
Loretta, Fr. Louis Trivision was one of the finest priests I ever knew. His sister, Mary Lou, was one of our finest SND’s too! They both exuded love, courage, wisdom, and great faith… The saints do walk among us… Your cousin, Melannie (two cousins in a row respond today!)
True freeddom will be experienced when our soul leaves the cage of our body…peace
Good point, Pat! Thanks for writing! Melannie
My First taste of freedom was moving out on my own when i was 24. It was the craziest year of my life.
Brandon, It’s good to recall our “earlier self.” A crazy year is not always a bad year, right? Thanks for commenting! Melannie
“How do you let the goodness out?” Lovely…and the litany is lovely too. Thank you for another inspiring blog. Have a good week.
And thank you, Diane, for sharing what touched you in today’s blog. I’m always eager to get such feedback from you and all my dear readers! Melannie
The happy results for the human race, listed and rising in significance as the music comes into crescendo and ends in climax, in the song “If We Only Have Love” (go for the original cast of four singers in the off-Broadway show “*Jacques Brel is Alive and Well in Paris* (1974)–are examples of liberation from oppression, alienation, fears of many kinds. The theme suggests a cultural advance from narrowness to expansiveness, from superficiality to depth, from distrust to acceptance, from hostility to peace and from divisiveness to unity. Certain words evoke the Judeo-Christian tradition blending into an essentially humanistic vision.
I took you advice, George, and listened to the original cast in the Off-Broadway show. The song is beautiful! And I was amazed at the array of singers who recorded this song over the years. Thanks for the tip! Melannie
Thank you for the inspiration this morning! Always so meaningful.
Your blog always provides me wonderful opportunities for contemplation. I have felt free many times in my life…today what came to mind after I read your blog was the following. I was reminded of a time when I left a particularly stressful job. I thought it was the end of life as I knew it. I was very sad and lost at the time. It was God’s way to set me free to become open to the possibilities. And I am eternally grateful that I continue to grow and remain open to God’s plan!
Cindy
Cindy Rose, Your example of leaving a stressful job is one probably many of us can relate too. Sometimes we don’t appreciate our “lack of freedom” until we actually are set free! Thanks for writing! Melannie
Love the image of opening windows I didn’t know were shut! So true for many phases in my long life. And still happening! In every age He has been a refuge. Thanks George for the Jacques Brel reminder. And Melannie…oh Melannie…so very real..and good!
Thanks and Blessungs😘
And thank you, Anne, for reminding us that God is our refuge… an image I always appreciate. Thanks for your comment today! Melannie
Thank you Sr Melannie for another thought provoking blog. I recall two teachers who helped me in my educational life that freed me from my anxiety so that I could enjoy learning. First in high school advanced math in my junior year: Mr. C knew that I knew the material in
class but failed test after test. One day before another test he took my text and told me to go home and not think about the test. Next day I aced the test! Fast forward to junior year at Notre Dame College, physics with Sr. LucyAnn. I failed the tests we were given. Day before another test I was surprised to be asked to stay after class. Sister gave me the test orally and again I received an A. These two fine educators gave me the foundation for my own teaching style: Make the students comfortable with their learning, make the learning enjoyable, and allow them to learn in their own ways. My being freed allowed me to free others.
Again thanks for your blog Sr Melannie. May God continue to bless you and each of us!
Martha, No wonder you were such a successful teacher: you were so aware of the fact that students learn in different ways–because of your own experience with learning. Thank God you had some fine teachers along the way! I thank God for the many students you helped throughout your years of loving service in the classroom! Melannie
A rather late response but I have been thinking about your blog these past few days. The first thing that came to mind was the feeling of freedom the day after I retired, as my husband and I rode our bikes to a quiet spot by the river in a nearby town. That freedom led to so many blessings in my life, including a long and happy retirement, two beautiful grandchildren, spending time with family and friends, pursuing creative hobbies and volunteering.
Much to be thankful for!
Beverly, I’m so happy that the freedom of retirement has brought you and your husband so many blessings! It sounds as if you’ve been using this freedom in positive and geerous ways. Thanks for writing! Melannie
Dear Sr. Melanie,
The feeling of being “free or freed” comes about by working with our Lord who hears pleas for peace in mind, heart, & spirit. But “being freed” is relative to the individual.
I thank God each day for the countless gifts, opportunities, & signs He provides so I can continue to use THOSE freedoms to be humbled & aware of those who are struggling every day to be free from sins committed, physical & emotional abuse, & missed opportunities to do the right thing.
The concept of being free from memories of physical & emotional abuse, which in turn are life altering, is out of reach. Some days are easier than others, but eventually there will be a trigger that sniggles its way in to the recesses of one’s mind, with the intention of closing that window you’ve cracked open to breathe in the air of freedom.
I embrace the gift of the freedoms I have been blessed with, however, that is sometimes overshadowed by the trauma of the past. Let’s remember to pray for those who wrestle with their perpetual demons always lurking close by. Before I retire for the evening, I am grateful that Jesus is walking alongside me, keeping me focused on moving forward to be of service to others.