FREEDOM

 In 1733, forty-three years before the passage of the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain, Blessed M. Celeste Crostarosa, founder of the Redemptoristine Nuns, declared her own independence by following her liberty of conscience in NOT accepting ultimatums made by her superiors at the time.  She paid the price for it by being expelled from the monastery in Scala, outside of Naples.   Five years later, she was able to implement the Rule of the new Order based on the humble Incarnate life of Jesus which He had revealed to her 13 years earlier.   

At the beginning of WWII, FDR proposed the Four Freedoms:  Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Want, and Freedom from Fear.  Have these come to pass?    Everything takes time.   Freedom takes time.   

Recently, American Magazine said that about 50-60% of Catholics are dissatisfied with the preaching and music in the parishes.  In this Year of Eucharistic revival people are hungering for more. 

Women want the freedom to be heard in the Church and been seen as equal proclaimers of the Word of God.  Our brother Redemptorist, Rev. Maurice Nutt, just published an excellent book on African-American Catholic Theology of Preaching, DOWN DEEP IN MY SOUL.   All Pastors should buy a copy.

Catholic churches, Protestant churches, Synagogues and Moslem and Hindu temples have all been targets of hate crimes in recent years. Innocent people have died worshipping.   Sadly, people now come to church packing guns, just in case.  Pray God that all people may have the freedom to worship.

Many parishes have outreach to the poor and suffering.  What can we do together to free more people of the family of God from want in our own neighborhoods? 

LBGT+ Catholics want to worship and be welcomed to celebrate Eucharist without fear and judgement.  These, too, are the children of God. 

The time has come.  Let us make Freedom a reality:
Freedom for all in the sight of God.
And may the Prince of Peace reign in our hearts
now and always.