Whenever I need a quick pick-me-up I watch “Braveheart”, the story of William Wallace rising from an orphan boy to a well-educated man freeing the whole of Scotland from the evil orange-clad English always gets my blood boiling. The movie almost has me running across campus, painted face and kilt, shouting “FREEDOM” as loud as I can. William Wallace was one man who was willing to fight for freedom, but I’m forced to wonder if I would have the courage to do that.
In our post-modern society, we are told that “freedom” is being able to do whatever you want, as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else, however, common sense shows us that any “free” society still has laws and regulations. Freedom is the idea of self-governance; it’s a nation governing itself, a church not having decisions made for it by outside bodies, or a person not being stuck in addiction. Often we overlook the last thought, thinking that people shouldn’t have to govern themselves, but that simply isn’t the case. If one does not govern their desires, they become addicted.
In our post-modern society, we are told that “freedom” is being able to do whatever you want, as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else, however, common sense shows us that any “free” society still has laws and regulations. Freedom is the idea of self-governance; it’s a nation governing itself, a church not having decisions made for it by outside bodies, or a person not being stuck in addiction. Often we overlook the last thought, thinking that people shouldn’t have to govern themselves, but that simply isn’t the case. If one does not govern their desires, they become addicted.
Dante illustrates addiction perfectly in his “Inferno”. In the deepest circle of Hell, the Evil One is trapped in a block of ice, unable to move, just stuck. This is what sin does to us, it traps us in our own desires, instead of being able to freely decide what is good and evil we are stuck in the ice cube, doing what our desires tell us we should. This makes us slaves to our own flesh, our selfishness, unable to discern what is good we just do what we know.
Although Dante paints an eerie yet spot on picture, this bondage doesn’t just apply to just things that are immoral. A few years back I upgraded to a smart phone, this phone rarely leaves my side, pocket, or hand. Now, my phone is great, I am able to receive emails from my brother stationed in Afghanistan while I’m not around my computer, I can read the newest blogs from my favorite priests on twitter, and the list continues. The issue lies in the bondage it creates. It is difficult for me to put my phone down while waiting in line at the store, and so I miss the opportunity for real conversation with the people around me. This addiction to what is good, doesn’t make the addiction any less bad, luckily, there’s Lent.
Although Dante paints an eerie yet spot on picture, this bondage doesn’t just apply to just things that are immoral. A few years back I upgraded to a smart phone, this phone rarely leaves my side, pocket, or hand. Now, my phone is great, I am able to receive emails from my brother stationed in Afghanistan while I’m not around my computer, I can read the newest blogs from my favorite priests on twitter, and the list continues. The issue lies in the bondage it creates. It is difficult for me to put my phone down while waiting in line at the store, and so I miss the opportunity for real conversation with the people around me. This addiction to what is good, doesn’t make the addiction any less bad, luckily, there’s Lent.
Lent is the “William Wallace” of Liturgical Seasons. Lent allows us to don our kilts and ride into battle. This Lent, instead of sticking to the normal “I’m giving up something I enjoy for the sake of giving something up”, look to where you struggle, give up something close to the sin. If you struggle with drinking too much alcohol, give up drinking all together, avoid that near occasion. If you’re battle is putting off homework, as is one of my many, give up video games or Facebook. If you struggle with pornography, give up the computer during certain hours of the day. Just do something to help build discipline. The discipline you gain during this season will help gain the freedom to say no to whatever sins control your life.
Lent is a time where you prepare for the battle with yourself for freedom of your own heart. The Lord came to free us from sin and bondage, the next 40 days, let us bear the name of Christ upon our foreheads and ride into battle with the cry for freedom as Wallace once did.
