Spirituality and You: Independence Day

As we look forward to Independence Day, let’s reflect on what it means to be FREE:

In order to be free for life, we must quite simply be free from our small selves. St. Francis knew that Jesus was not at all interested in the usual “sin management” task that clergy love to think is their job. He saw that Jesus was neither surprised nor upset at what we usually call sin. Jesus was upset at human pain and suffering. What else do all the healing stories mean? They are half of the Gospel! Jesus did not focus on sin. Jesus went where the pain was. Wherever he found human pain, there he went, there he touched, and there he healed. St. Francis, who only wanted to do one thing–imitate Jesus–did the same. But you cannot do that, or even see it, unless your first question is something other than “What do I want?” “What do I prefer?” or “What pleases me?” In the great scheme of things, it really does not matter what I want. We are not free at all until we are free from ourselves. It is that simple and that hard.

–Richard Rohr, OFM, Adapted from The Art of Letting Go: Living the Wisdom of Saint Francis