Our New Self

4 Jul

You have taken off the old self with its practices
and have put on the new self,
which is being renewed, for knowledge,
in the image of its creator.
Here there is not Greek and Jew,
circumcision and uncircumcision,
barbarian, Scythian, slave, free;
but Christ is all and in all.  (Col 3:9-11)

Our forefathers did all that they could to provide a country where all could be free.  They left a land that represented tyranny to establish a land where all would be able to practice their faith without oppression.

Our history may have been a bit rocky; yet, our country still represent freedom to so many around the world.

St. Paul reminds us that, as we have cast aside the old self, we are a new creation in Christ.  We must live as one, caring for the needs of all.  If one person matters, then, all matter.

We often spend our lives picking and choosing.  Somehow, we have begun to live the dream of our forefathers in a very modified fashion.  While saying that everyone has a right to be free, we interpret it and act as if some people have more of a right than others.

This kind of attitude, throughout the ages, has fostered the sins of racism, prejudice, and discrimination of all sorts.

If we say that we are free and if we hold freedom as a high concept, we must make sure that there is freedom for all.

FAITH ACTION:  Pray for the oppressed, for those who are discriminated against, for those who do not enjoy freedom of any kind, that all people may have the dignity of belonging to the family of God.