One of the common complaints against the Church, especially among the young people, is that the Church has too many rules, and they are not free to live as they see fit. “If others can do it, then why can’t I?” My reply will always be, “If other people jump off the cliff, will you jump off with them?” Being free does not mean we can do whatever we like. Wherever we are, there will always be rules, but they are not meant to restrict us. Rather, rules are meant to help us live better, and have a more orderly and organised life. Without rules, chaos will rule.

St Paul tells us that Christ has freed us by His death but what kind of freedom is this? We gain freedom when we are no longer enslaved by our disordered attachments. We think that by having many things, we become free. But the opposite is usually true. We become slaves of our own possession. That is the sign that we have been enslaved by the very things we have. Being free means we choose to live in the love of the Lord and to be free of all things that prevent us from growing closer to God.

Being free also means inner freedom. We are not controlled by what’s exterior. Jesus warns the Pharisee that he is overly concerned about external laws and regulations, while ignoring what’s more important – the inner law of conscience and freedom.