Day 235: Human Freedom in Salvation

Freedom and sin. Man's freedom is limited and fallible. In fact, man failed. He freely sinned. By refusing God's plan of love, he deceived himself and became a slave to sin. This first alienation engendered a multitude of others. From its outset, human history attests the wretchedness and oppression born of the human heart in consequence of the abuse of freedom. CCC 1739

The Catechism discusses human freedom in the economy of salvation in today's reading. We have the freedom to choose God or to reject Him. Our eternal destiny hinges upon the choices we make in this life. Too often in modern culture, we confuse freedom with the "right to say or do everything" we wish, apart from God, focusing only on our interests, which leaves us "imprisoned within [ourselves], disrupts neighborly fellowship, and rebels against divine truth" (CCC 1740). We can freely choose the abuse of our freedom that God has given us, and live a life in sin, or turn to God and embrace true freedom in Christ, "for freedom Christ has set us free" (Gal 5:1).

The Catechism Compendium summarizes the place human freedom has in the plan of salvation:

Our freedom is weakened because of original sin. This weakness is intensified because of successive sins. Christ, however, set us free “so that we should remain free” (Galatians 5:1). With his grace, the Holy Spirit leads us to spiritual freedom to make us free co-workers with him in the Church and in the world. (#366)

The Catechism Companion, Vol II has some good commentary on this:

Due to the Fall, there was a darkening of the intellect, so we can know, but we do not always know fully or clearly. There was also a weakening of the will, so we can choose, but we do not always choose with strength... By our nature, we are still good and still retain God's image, yet that image has been marred and broken. Our freedom has become wounded... The moral law is not a straightjacket as much as it is a set of good guideposts that give us the ability to live with freedom and joy... We need God's grace and the power that comes from him. This corresponds with our freedom, giving us the capacity to do what we ought to do. (p. 234) 

This painting by Rembrandt shows St. Paul held in prison. The real threat to human freedom is not physical chains but sin, and thus in Christ, St. Paul is free indeed (see CCC 1740). (p. 235)