What does it mean to be Free?

 11/19/20 What does it mean to be free? 

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Proper 29 BCP 236)

What does it mean to be free? 

The Collect for this coming Sunday, the last Sunday of our liturgical year, prays that we all may be freed from sin and brought together under Christ. In this year, a year full of struggles around freedom and personal safety for many, the question about what it means to be free is poignant. Many people feel that true freedom is being able to do whatever they want whenever they want, despite other people. However, at no time in human civilization, has that been the definition of freedom. Freedom has always been impacted by social and cultural rules. 

While I don't know the heavenly definition of true freedom, the rest of the pray gives me a clue. True freedom in Christ involves community, we are all brought together under Christ's rules. Which means our freedom to do whatever we want whenever we want is impacted by our place in the community and Christ's rule of love. True freedom in Christ then is not complete freedom from any laws or social definitions. True freedom works through our outpouring of love for each other and God. Many of us want to proclaim our freedom now, however, we are not all truly free until all those who are held captive by sin, other people, or death are released. Through our Trinitarian God, we cannot be free until our whole community is free. Until all people are free to share God's love in the way they best can.