Yesterday we celebrated the 250th anniversary of The Declaration of Independence.What is freedom? This is a very important question. It is easy to go about our lives ignoring this question. Sadly it is when our freedom is taken away that we begin to fight for our freedom. So it is very important to have a sound understanding of what freedom is.

The Catholic understanding defines freedom not as the mere ability to do whatever one wants, but as the power to do what is good and right. Rooted in human dignity, true freedom means using free will to align oneself with God, which leads to authentic human flourishing and joy.

Freedom vs. License: In Catholic teaching, "license" is the pursuit of unbridled personal desires without regard for morality or truth, which often leads to the slavery of sin. Indulging our passions leads to slavery. True freedom serves the good and just.

Teleological Purpose: Freedom is not an end in itself; it is a means to an end. That end is God. Humans are given the free will to choose to seek, love, and unite with their Creator. True human freedom allows to know and delight in what is good, and true, and beautiful.

Truth and Freedom: Rooted in Scripture (John 8:32), the Church teaches that truth and freedom are inseparable. Living a moral life according to the truth actually expands a person's capacity to choose goodness.

Responsibility: Because humans are rational moral agents, freedom comes with inherent responsibility for their actions. Irrational animals are governed by their instincts. The human person is endowed by God with reason and the freedom to choose. We will be granted the consequences of our choices.

Romans 6:22-23 “But now that you have been freed from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit that you have leads to sanctification,* and its end is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”