Liberating Oneself and becoming the Liberators is the Primary Mission of a Christian

Gospel Thoughts

*Christmas Season : Thursday after Epiphany*

*GOSPEL - Lk 4:14-22*

*First Reading - 1 Jn 4:19-5:4*

*Liberating Oneself and becoming the Liberators is the Primary Mission of a Christian*

*He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives*

*1) Liberty to the Captives - is one of main missions of Jesus*

We see in the life of Jesus, liberty or liberating people from various things becomes the main mission of Jesus 

It is important to note that, in the so called inaugural address, Jesus brings this point of liberation and the liberty 

So it liberty becomes an important issue for Jesus 

*2) Jesus' Liberation consists in variety of things*

Liberation from the slavery of sin

Liberation from the slavery of superstitions

Liberation from the slavery of self righteousness

Liberation from the slavery of pride and arrogance

Liberation from the slavery of ignorance

Liberation from the slavery of rivalry, anger, revenge, hatred, power, wealth, and position

Liberation from the slavery of death and hell

So this is how Jesus liberated us from various things 

*3) Liberation is possible only through the sacrifice*

Jesus liberated us through His passion, and death on the Cross

Death on the Cross is the foundation of the liberty

It is the Cross, finally becomes the sign of liberation

So in the Cross, we have struggle, challenges, dying to ones own self, sacrifice,  and humility. These finally bring about a great liberty 

*4) We have been called to become the soldiers of Liberty and not of Slavery*

The very fact that we are the soldiers of Christ, we are called upon to work for liberty 

Liberation should become the main purpose of our life 

*5) Liberation starts from the Self*

Unless we liberate ourselves from various things, we can't liberate others. So the liberation of the self becomes very important. 

We have to liberate ourselves from the slavery of our own narrow mindedness 

We have to liberate ourselves from the slavery of our modern gadgets

At times we are slaves of our thoughts, attitudes, customs, languages, rites, colour, region, knowledge, beauty, courage, praise, name, power, media, social networks, and so on 

Unless we liberate ourselves from from the above slavery, we can't think of liberating someone else 

*6) Liberation of the self, for the sake of the other*

Jesus always worked for the liberation of the other

We have to work for the liberation for the other. That is our mission. 

Our mission becomes incomplete, if we fail to work for the liberation of my neighbour 

If so am I ready to liberate myself, in order serve others  to liberate them from their slavery? 

*7) My Life and Liberation*

Which are the areas, where I should work to liberate myself from the slavery of various things? 

For example, mobile, addiction of various kinds, drinking, gossiping, telling lies, bodily pleasures 

When I will be to serve as a liberator for others and in which areas? 

Think about it.

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*