How do you define slavery and freedom? How does this compare with the dictionary?  Social media? How does it compare with Saint Paul?  We generally understand slavery to mean that one is prevented from following one’s natural inclinations, whether good or bad. For Jesus and Saint Paul, slavery meant that we are controlled by our impulses, as opposed to our highest values.

What about freedom? Socially, freedom is often taken to mean doing whatever we choose, whether good or bad—the body rules. For Jesus and for Saint Paul, freedom meant that we are not enslaved by sinful impulses or hampered from responding to grace and taking the higher road, as they say…   Well, here again, Jesus and Saint Paul upturn the values of the world. The Eucharist is given to us as the gift that impels us toward true freedom, breaks the chains of our weak nature, and throws light on the path of grace.

Saint Peter Julian loved to use the image of fire to describe the Eucharist! That’s a topic for another time. In today’s gospel, we are again presented with two strikingly opposed concepts. How do we define unity and division? What does unity mean? What does division mean?

Jesus was pointing to his Passion as the fire that purifies, a purification that can lead to division or unity, divisions resulting from differences in our understanding of his message. The fire of His passion purifies, but it may also divide to heal and unify. Is your head spinning? Well, mine is! Today’s readings leave us facing a quandary: What is freedom? What is slavery? What is unity? What is division?  Much to ponder, but don’t check your dictionary.

Prayer: 

“Father, grant that they may be one, as we are one, that the world may know that You sent Me.”