What We Ought to Do

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Cor. 3:17)

This verse brings back fond memories of YFC back in the day, when we would sing “where the Spirit of the Lord is there is FREEDOM! (FREEDOM, what what, FREEDOM, oh yeah…).” It makes me reminisce about the community in the past—the good ol’ times—and also causes me to reflect on the community now. I’ve realized that in this community we have and still experience true freedom.

Bl. Pope John Paul II once said that “freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought.” I truly believe this. That freedom is not doing what we like, nor what we must, but it is in doing what we ought. The world constantly barrages us with messages to do what we like when we like. If it feels good, do it. They say this is freedom. However, a serial killer likes to murder people. A drug addict likes to use drugs. An alcoholic likes to drink. Are they free? Rather, I would think they are a slave to their impulses.

I think what separates us from animals is that we have an intelligence and will to discern and know what we ought to do, and do it because it’s morally right. An animal cannot discern the morality of its decisions but we can.

This brings me to my point, that we experience true freedom in the community because it is filled with individuals and a moral compass that is centered in doing what we ought. We are imperfect and full of sinners but we are united in one vision: “families in the Holy Spirit renewing the face of the earth.” And as CFC-Youth, our vision is “young people being and bringing Christ wherever they are.” We are not young people doing whatever we like. We are young people with a common purpose, to be and bring Christ wherever we are. To bring Jesus and to imitate Him, is to truly live a life of freedom.

In our current state it is very difficult because of our tendency to sin. I realize this in my own life, that I am a great sinner and my desires are really out of whack. I am spiritually sick. When our body is physically ill, the doctor gives us a prescription. If we follow it, we will be healthy and be able to experience life to the full. By following the prescription, we follow the path to living a good life. If we don’t follow it, we will be sick and remain sick, even die. Jesus Christ is the heavenly Physician. The Doctor of life. His prescription is His commandments written in our hearts. If we decide not to follow, we will be spiritually sick. This sickness will affect every aspect of our lives. We will even be led to a spiritual death. However, if we follow and keep His commands, we will live and experience life in all its fullness. We will be truly free from sickness and death, and we will be free to love.

“For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ ” —Galatians 5:13–14

This is what we ought to do: love our neighbour as ourself.