Freedom and Goodness
doing whatever one wants—if it does not lead to good actions—is not freedom; it is licentiousness.This July marks the 250th anniversary of the United States’ Independence, which was founded on highly commendable human principles such as those mentioned in its Declaration: “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Subsequently, many countries around the world, especially in Latin America, saw the American example as an inspiration for freedom and, as a result, fought for their own independence.
The dream of achieving freedom has been constant throughout human history. For centuries, many people have struggled to be free, and the struggle is never-ending, both socially and individually. At the height of Greek democracy, where freedom was cherished, it was estimated that one in every three people was a slave. In Jesus’s time under the Roman Empire, that percentage reached as high as 15% of the population. According to the International Justice Mission, today there are approximately 50 million people living in modern slavery, of whom 1 in 4 is a child. Sometimes it seems like a nightmare from the past, but it is not. That enormous number is equivalent to the entire population of Spain. What does it mean to be free? Returning to the Greeks, the great philosopher Aristotle, four centuries before Jesus Christ, defined freedom as the rational capacity to make decisions oriented toward the good. Therefore, doing whatever one wants—if it does not lead to good actions—is not freedom; it is licentiousness. And that licentiousness is a disregard for one’s own good. And if we do not seek the good, we cannot attain happiness, since happiness depends on being virtuous people. In the Gospel, freedom and truth go hand in hand. In John 8:32, Jesus Christ tells us: “The truth will set you free.” And what is truth in the Bible? Jesus, on many occasions, presented himself as the truth, which is, fundamentally, the testimony of his love carried to its ultimate consequences—in a life of service and self-sacrifice to seek the greatest good for others. So, if we, in our freedom, decide to love, that is the best decision we can make to do what is right, both for ourselves and for others. In the modern world, there are many threats to our freedom, and it seems easier to pay attention to those that come from governments or other people, but sometimes we fail to pay attention to our own decisions, which diminish our dignity and autonomy as human beings. For example, in the United States alone, nearly 50 million people struggle with some form of drug addiction. Others may be held captive by bad habits, trauma, and many acquired fears. Therefore, the invitation is to continue striving for freedom, to seek the truth and the greatest good in our lives through love and compassion. It is a daily struggle to give the best of ourselves, because when we love, no battle is lost. Rev. Israel Portilla-Gómez (He/him/his) is Associate Rector at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. 2222 E Tudor Rd, Anchorage, AK 99507. [email protected]. (907) 563-3341. Ext. 13. |