Obligation & freedom
Fourth Sunday of Lent
Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/033025-YearC.cfm
When it comes to our religious practices and our faith, we can get focused on what we should do. We see the world through a list of duties and obligations. We forget that we have a freedom to choose otherwise. At times too, we can look down on others who do not have this sense of obligation.
In today’s gospel, we learn of two brothers. One who lived by obligation and the other who lived by freedom. The son who lived by obligation stayed committed to the father. He kept doing what he should do. He did what he thought was expected of him and didn’t falter from it. Even in taking half of his inheritance, he stays with the father and takes care of him. He continues on with the family’s work.
The other brother lived by freedom. He took his half of the inheritance and did what he wanted to do. He may have even revolted from his upbringing. The original intent was not to sow his wild oats but to live the life he wanted without any regard for responsibility or an obligation to himself or others. Once this didn’t work out for him, he lived impoverished as a servant. From this experience, he realized the value of his father and returned back to him with the hopes of being the least of those who served him. When he arrived, his father celebrated his return and his other brother was angry.
Is your faith out of choice or obligation? The first son acted by what he thought was the right thing to do. He had a sense of duty that drove him. While he was making a choice, he lost his sense of choice. The other brother turned his back on such things. As he went astray, he learned first-hand the results of poor decisions. Then, he ultimately chose his father as he now knew it was the right thing to do because he had experienced what it was like otherwise.
And of these brothers, which one experienced resentment? Could you imagine the prodigal son having resentment after his experience? There is something gained from experience that is lost with duty. This is not to say that we should do bad things so we can learn lessons that make us appreciate God more, but we should recognize the choice with our faith. Our faith shouldn’t be an obligation but a choice. Keeping it a choice allows God to work in us and keeps us ready for more growth.
A sense of obligation can drive us to “go through the motions” with our faith. Obligation can drive us to complacency, resentment, and frustration. In realizing we always have a choice, we better recognize its value and importance. God always gives us a choice. In seeing that it’s a choice, we’re more likely to celebrate those who make the choice as well regardless of their situation or background. Choosing our faith opens us to endless possibilities with ourselves, others, and God.
