June 2006

“For you were called for freedom” (Gal 5:13). This is the message that Paul of Tarsus proclaimed to Christians in the various communities of Galatia. This message echoes Jesus’ words that when he “frees you, then you will truly be free” (Jn 8:36). Free from what? Christians from Galatia were set free from the legal precepts of the Mosaic law, a freedom that was then extended to all Christians. Furthermore, we were set free from sin and its consequences: our fears, our frenzied pursuit of our own interests, cultural conditioning and social stratification. This is why we are free when we observe Christianity’s norms for social and religious conduct, because we do not see them as obligations imposed on us from the outside. For us there is a new law: the “law of Christ” (Gal 6:2), as Paul calls it. It is written in our hearts and it is born within every person made new by the love of Christ: it is “the law of freedom” (Js 2:12). It is a law that also provides us with the strength to live it out. We are free because we are guided by the Spirit of Jesus who lives in us. Thus we are given this invitation:

«Live by the Spirit… if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law»

In this period of Pentecost, we relive the event of the descent of the Spirit on Mary and the disciples gathered in the Cenacle. The Spirit’s tongues of fire pour into our hearts this gift: “the love of God” (Rom 5:5). This then is the “new law:” love. The Holy Spirit is the Love of God that comes into us and transforms our hearts. He puts his own love in us and teaches us to act in love and for love. It is love that guides, that suggests to us how to respond to various situations and to the choices that we are asked to make. It is love that teaches us how to distinguish and say: “This is a good thing, I will do it.” “This is a bad thing, I will not do it.” And it is love that urges us to act in ways that seek what is good for others. We are not guided by external pressures but by that principle of new life that the Spirit has placed within us. Our hearts, our minds, our strength – all our abilities – are able to live by the Spirit because they have been unified by love and are at the complete disposal of God’s plan for us and for our society. We are free to love.

«Live by the Spirit… if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law»

“If you are guided.…” There is always the danger that something may prevent the Spirit from fully penetrating our minds and hearts. We can resist his voice and his guidance to the point of “grieving” him, even “quenching” his presence in us (see Eph 4:30; 1 Thes 5:19). Many times, we prefer to follow our own desires rather than adhere to his. How then should we let ourselves be guided by that voice that speaks inside of us? Where is it leading us? Paul himself reminds us, a few verses earlier, that the new law of freedom is summed up in one precept: love of neighbor. Paul suggests that to be free really means to make ourselves slaves of others, to be at the service of one another (see Gal 5:13-14). That voice within, which is the voice of love, urges us to be attentive to the persons next to us, to listen to them and to give of ourselves to them. It may seem strange how, in the end, every Word of Life leads us to love. This is not something forced; it is simply the logic of the Gospel. We are authentic Christians only if we love.

«Live by the Spirit… if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law»

Let us allow the Spirit the freedom to lead us on the way of love. We could pray to him in this way: You are light, joy, and beauty. You attract people’s souls, you inflame their hearts, and you inspire them to formulate profound and decisive resolutions and to choose holiness of life with surprising personal commitments. You sanctify. Above all, Holy Spirit, you who are so discreet, even though impetuous and overpowering, you who blow like a gentle breeze that few know how to listen to and to feel, look at how raw and rough we are and shape us into your followers. May we let no day pass without praying to you, without thanking you, without adoring you, without loving you, without living as your devoted disciples.
We ask you for this grace.

Chiara Lubich