The wedding party of smartly dressed young men and colourful bridesmaids lined the front of the chapel as the bride glided slowly up the aisle to meet her husband-to-be. At the right time, I began to recite, “Dearly beloved we are gathered here today . . . . ” Within any wedding crowd there are a variety of people: some married, others not; some fondly remembering their wedding day, while others have sadly moved on. Yet, each one knows that this day is good, and love is wonderful. The two become one and live happily every after. In reality they spend their first few years figuring out which one they will become. One piece of advice I shared that day was to love in such as way as to gradually, learn to set each other free. True love is the most liberating and beautifying energy in the world. Love that liberates however, also calls for the highest degree of devotion, forsaking all others.
Love, it will not betray you or dismay you or enslave you, it will set your free. Mumford and Sons
Jesus love for us, bound him to the suffering of the cross, but in freedom He lives today. His love releases us from the inner prisons of the soul that keep us bound. Inside of us are self-destructive addictions that take root and wind around the soul. These passions keep us tied to destructive responses to life, such as rage. We are usually able to stay composed but then out of the blue our impatience flares up with even the smallest slight. In rage we feel for a moment strangely in control but then we are left with an emptiness. The ego self is energized by a desire for self protection and relief from the pain of living. Yet, living for the benefit of our ego self we start to view others as obstacles to our happiness. We can try to apply ourselves to the commandment to love others as ourselves, but our good intentions fail us. The pure love of God can free us from our blindness, but we must be willing to be accept a love that won’t cater to our self centred demands.
Much of human life can be understood as addiction to patterns of life that ease pain but are physically and spiritually debilitating. They give the appearance of help but conceal the price. – Wendy Farley, The Wounding and Healing of Desire.
Like a flower opening up to the sunshine, a soul that is daily lifted up toward the source of light, Jesus, is able to outgrow the weeds of sin. Be captivated by this one great desire and love will set you free.
Jesus, the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills the breast!
Yet sweeter far Thy face to see
And in Thy presence rest.