 Absolute Freedom

- the desire to have the freedom to

do as they please
- the clamor of some people for the
absolute right over their lives and bodies
 Slavery and suffering of the Israelites in Egypt
o sending plagues upon Egypt (Ex 7-11)
o bringing His people safely across the Red Sea (Ex
14)
o by providing them with their needs as they
crossed the desert to reach Mt. Sinai
(Ex 16-17)
Decalogue
- the “ten words” summarize and
express our most basic duties and rights

God did not only free His people from abuse

and injustice, but also summoned His people to
love one another and live freely as a
community.
 our true freedom is always lived in
community before God
- we are created by God as persons-in-
community
True Freedom – is when people respect the
freedom and dignity of each other
God’s Commandment –
set us free and do not destroy our
freedom
Decalogue
- prohibits acts that can destroy our
freedom: idolatry, violence, murder,
adultery, theft, lies
Moral Obligations
– are essential in our life as a
community; without them, the only
norm would be brute force, or having
things “my way”.
Jesus calls us to True Freedom
- we become truly free through
the public life, teachings and paschal
mystery of Jesus.
 Lk 4:18
– Jesus life’s mission
Interior threats to freedom
- these are obstacles to true freedom that come
from within us.
Ex.
o Negative habits or vices
o fears
o Doubts
o Disordered desires
o Prejudices
o ignorance
1. We needed to become more aware of
these interior vices; habits, tendencies,
and weaknesses.
 self – reflection
 journaling
 opening up to others
2. We should seek whatever help we need to
keep them in check.
 educating our conscience
 avoid situations that lead us to sin
 open ourselves through personal prayer
Exterior threats to freedom
- these are obstacles that arise from our
environment.
- these are forces or realities in our community that
influence us to act in a self-centred way.
 peer pressure
 the media
 lack of parental supervision
- Freedom is for growing as full
persons and disciples of Jesus,
sharing in His life through His Spirit
 _John 8:31-32_
“If you remain in my word, you will truly
be my disciples, and you will know the
truth, and the truth will set you free”
Truth
- refers to what Christ has
revealed about who we are and what
we should do through His life, His
teachings, and most importantly His
paschal mystery.
Two levels of personal freedom
1. Free choice
2. Fundamental freedom
- It is the freedom “we have”.
- the freedom to choose and do
particular acts
“when we obey a rule or a
commandment, we freely choose to obey.
- A freedom in terms of who we are – our
basic stance
- because it is a person’s basic choice in life
that reflects his or her particular, everyday
moral choices
- “ the kind of person we are or we become
because of the moral choices we make”