[Salvation]

Reflection for Day Thirteen

While insisting upon the religious freedom of the Church, the Council Fathers do not wish to give the impression that in some manner the Catholic Church is special when it comes to religious liberty. Thus, the Council first states above that where the principle of religious liberty is present, the Church is able to peaceably fulfill her divine mission. It is this amicable relationship between herself and civil authorities that the Church always wishes to pursue and ensure.

In the light of this, the Church also champions the religious and civil rights of all so that all people can live “their lives in accordance with their conscience.” In this way there is no conflict with what the Church demands for herself and what she demands for others—the freedom to follow one’s conscience in matters religious. This religious freedom for all is what the Council once more believes should be acknowledged and sanctioned within the constitutional law of countries.

In the United States, religious freedom is protected in the Constitution, as the Council desires. Are those constitutional protections enough? Are they growing stronger or weaker in our society today? What else, apart from the law, can strengthen or weaken religious liberty? What should Catholics do to defend and foster religious liberty in America today? What have Catholics done in the past when religious liberty was threatened?

[Salvation]

Litany for Liberty

 

Fortnight for Freedom

Christ the Lord has called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. 

Let us turn to him in humble but fervent petition,  

seeking the grace to root out from our hearts all trace of darkness, 

and all that holds us back  

from walking in the full freedom of the children of God. 

As Christ is our great model for that inner freedom,  

which enables us to do the right, 

let us turn to him with confidence  

that we, too, may follow him to the fullness of spiritual freedom. 

Lord, have mercy;  Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy; Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy;  Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, victor over sin and death…   Free our hearts.  

Jesus, source of light and hope…   Free our hearts. 

Jesus, fullness of truth and mystery…  Free our hearts. 

Jesus, teacher of seeking hearts…   Free our hearts. 

Jesus, healer of body and soul…   Free our hearts. 

Jesus, bringer of mercy and justice…   Free our hearts. 

Jesus, who humble the heart and mind…  Free our hearts. 

Jesus, release of captives…    Free our hearts. 

Jesus, voice against violence…   Free our hearts. 

Jesus, courage for the lowly/downtrodden…  Free our hearts. 

Jesus, origin of all authority and power…  Free our hearts. 

Jesus, true lawgiver…     Free our hearts. 

Jesus, unity of order and passion…  Free our hearts. 

Jesus, freedom of the Spirit…    Free our hearts. 

Jesus, obedient Son of the Father…   Free our hearts. 

For the freedom to love…    Give us your grace.  

For the freedom to believe…    Give us your grace. 

For the freedom to hope…    Give us your grace.  

For the freedom to worship…    Give us your grace. 

For the freedom to serve in charity…   Give us your grace. 

For the freedom to care for the suffering…  Give us your grace. 

For the freedom to comfort the sick…  Give us your grace. 

For the freedom to feed the hungry…  Give us your grace. 

For the freedom to shelter the homeless…  Give us your grace. 

For the freedom to proclaim the Gospel…  Give us your grace. 

For the freedom to walk in chastity…  Give us your grace. 

For the freedom to live in peace…   Give us your grace. 

For the freedom to work in good conscience… Give us your grace. 

For the freedom to stand in solidarity…  Give us your grace.  

For the freedom to seek justice…   Give us your grace. 

 

For the freedom to reject sin…   Give us your grace.    

 

For the freedom to reject coercion…   Give us your grace. 

 

For the freedom to reject falsehood…  Give us your grace. 

 

For the freedom to reject evil temptations…  Give us your grace. 

For the freedom to reject injustice…   Give us your grace. 

 

O God, who gave one origin to all peoples 

 

and willed to gather from them one family for yourself, 

 

fill all hearts, we pray, with the fire of your love 

 

and kindle in them a desire 

for the just advancement of their neighbor, 

that, through the good things which you richly bestow upon all, 

each human person may be brought to perfection, 

every division may be removed, 

and equity and justice may be established in human society. 

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,  

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 

one God for ever and ever.   

Amen.