August 21, 2012 – Catechism 1730 – 1738

People are so confused about what freedom means.  We are free to act in any way we want, but many seem to think that this means there is not right or wrong, good or bad.  Freedom has nothing to do with defining right or wrong, but we are really only free when we are acting for good.  When we freely choose evil, we become ensnared.  Evil only leads to further evil and we become slaves.  Slavery is the opposite of freedom just like good to bad.  True freedom is choosing good, which is of God.  You are free to do evil, but really ask yourself if you feel free while you are doing it.  Are you truly making the decision on your own.  Is it peer pressure, greed, anger.  What is driving the evil act and if you are not doing it on your own but are being influenced, is it freedom.  The same examination can be done for good acts and whether you are being motivated by something else or it is truly free.  That is a struggle I have had to face and it is important to think about when we are talking about freedom.