F r E e D o M

F r E e D o M

Scripture Reading: Galatians 5:13-16

“Preserve Your Freedom”

Man was liberated by Jesus Christ from the bondage of sin so that he will never be slave again.

Sinful human desires or selfish human inclinations are contrary to freedom when they oppose us to do what is good for ourselves.

He is gifted with freedom to direct his actions towards what is good and not to be ruled by his irrational instincts.

He has the capacity to love others and to follow the law of God.

Church Teaching

Catechism for Filipino Catholics

a.CFC 694

Authentic Freedom is not the right to say and do anything but to do the good. (CCC 1740)
> not found in prejudice, deceit or ignorance but in truth.
–The TRUTH will set you FREE.( John 8:32 )

> 3 Pillars of Freedom
1. Truth about Jesus the Savior
2. Truth about the Church
3. Truth about Man and his Dignity

b.CFC 696

Freedom from- everything that opposes our true self- becoming with others in the community.

2 Obstacles:
Interior- ignorance, disordered passions, fears, personality defects, bad habits, prejudices, psychological disturbances
Exterior- violent force, threat of violence

•Greatest obstacle to authentic freedom is SIN.
•True freedom is freedom from the SLAVERY OF SIN.


c.CFC 697

Freedom for…
> freedom for growing as full persons and children of God
> freedom found in AUTHENTIC LOVE

2 Levels of Freedom
1. Freedom of Choice which direct my moral acts.
2. The fundamental freedom of my very self.

Baptism of Jesus Account

Baptism of Jesus
(Matthew 3: 13-17)

Baptism means (1) to be washed (2) to be buried (to be immersed) and in spiritual meaning, (3) to pass on sin by laying on of hands, as ministered in the Old Testament days. In the New Testament, the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist was to wash away all the sins of the world.
The baptism of Jesus has the meaning of taking away the sins of all mankind, to wash away the sins of the world. Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, the representative of all human beings and the High Priest of the lineage of Aaron, and took all the sins of the world upon Himself. This was the purpose of His baptism.
The spiritual meaning of the word baptism is to pass on, to be buried. So, the baptism of Jesus means that all sins were passed onto Jesus and that He was judged instead of us. In order to save mankind, Jesus had to take away our sins with His baptism and die for them.
Thus, His death is also the death of you and me, all the sinners of the world, and His resurrection is the resurrection of all people. His sacrifice is the salvation of sinners, and His baptism is the very witness to washing away all the sins of humankind.
The Bible tells us, There is also an antitype which now saves us, namely baptism (1 Peter 3:21). The baptism of Jesus is the righteous way of saving all humanity by washing away our sins.

Reference: http://www.bjnewlife.org/english/bstudy/terms_07.php

An Assignment

Christology
1. Make a line of investigation on what happened when Christ was baptized.
2. Explain briefly why there is one good news but four Gospels.

Christian Morality
1. Delve into the church teachings on FREEDOM.
2. Analyze the relation of the film, "BRUCE ALMIGHTY" into HUMAN FREEDOM.