Trio of freedom – love – happiness

A contribution from Dr. Martin Kugler based on a lecture by Prior P. Johannes Elias Schneider.

Our modern age is characterized by the desire not to be restricted: not by rules, not by specifications, not by the biological conditions of my body, not by authorities or teachers, not by circumstances. Only the will seems to count. Behind this desire there is a natural urge for inner freedom. For people today, freedom seems to mean first and foremost: “I can do whatever I want. The only condition is that I want it. Then I will be happy.”

In the search for freedom, we often think that our inner freedom is limited by external things: “If A or B happens, then I am free. Then I’ll be fine.” But in this way we become slaves to circumstances that we often cannot control. “If I had this or that, or if I finally found a spouse, then I would be happy,” we think. Some hold other people responsible for their inner freedom: “If this or that were to do this or that, then…” Again, we are looking for freedom in the wrong places. Freedom also consists in agreeing to things that I have not chosen myself.

Things that I can change, I should try with all my might to change. But also, I have to accept things that I can’t change. I have to let them be. This is what it means to live in the truth.

Christians understand freedom differently than many people today. Namely, we believe in the freedom to do the right thing or freedom for excellence. From many biographies, we learn that people find happiness when they are willing to submit to what is good and right. This is the prerequisite for true freedom. The prodigal son, on the other hand, seeks freedom first in autonomy, i.e. in distance from the father. He looks for his life – and ultimately loses it. He will only be free again after his return. The more we trust God, the freer we become. The more I depend on God and His mercy, the freer I become.

Because of our freedom, we are created as human beings for our own sake. Through our conscious actions, we align ourselves with God or stand against Him (cf. CCC 1731).

Through freedom, we should grow in goodness. Our freedom, then, should be aimed at the highest good.

The more you do good, the more you experience freedom. Disordered living ultimately makes you unfree. For society as a whole, their mantra is: “If you don’t want to, you don’t have to.,” or “Do what feels right.” But life in abundance is promised to us as Christians if we live by God’s Truth! We are children of God!

Behind the desire for freedom is the longing for love. If we loved more, love would take our hearts to great places! Those who love do not feel restricted anywhere. Whoever does not love is restricted everywhere.

Anyone who only focuses on himself is not free. This is what distinguishes the “disciple” from the “Stoic”: the Christian feels that he must be ordered towards others. This is how freedom becomes active love. Here the latest findings of modern psychology and Christianity merge seamlessly. Live for others because this is the only way that life can be fulfilling.

Happiness is something that comes from within. Not from the outside. Consequenlty, you can be happy anywhere because there is a space within you that no one can take away from you. There is freedom, there is love, there is God. If you have found this space, then you have found the actual content of your longing, your home, your peace…