After spending the past several weeks considering Christian hope and the influence of modern thinkers on this important concept, we move to the next section of Spe salvi which has the section title: “The True Shape of Christian Hope.” The Holy Father picks up on the theme of human freedom in these next few paragraphs, having begun his reflection on this important topic in the previous section.
In many ways, the timing of this topic is perfect as we come to the conclusion of the Religious Freedom Week in the Church in the United States. This week began last Sunday, June 22 (normally the Memorial of Ss. John Fisher and Thomas More) and concludes on June 29 with the Solemnity of Ss. Peter and Paul. This has replaced the Fortnight for Freedom which extended another week, ending on July 4, our nation’s Independence Day. Though the Holy Father’s treatment of human freedom in these paragraphs of Spe salvi are not specifically about religious freedom per se, they are helpful for any discussion about the freedom that we as human beings have been gifted by God.
The pope makes the point that for man, “freedom is always new and he must always make his decisions anew.” (SS 24) This is not to say that we are free to choose what we want to be true, and in the name of freedom, can justify any decision that we want. Rather, we can draw upon the “moral treasury” of humanity that has gone before us to help us in knowing what is right and what is wrong, what is good and what is evil, but each generation is called upon to use their freedom in choosing that good, not just having those decisions made for us. To do so would not be freedom.
On this point some might object to what the Holy Father is saying, claiming that the Church, in all of her teachings and rules, has defined what is acceptable and what is not, and that we are placed in a position that we must follow those guidelines. True, the Church gives us clear guidance on a whole host of things, but our freedom remains, and we have the ability to accept or reject those teachings. But there are consequences when we use our freedom to reject the good, which we call sin. The Church does not define actions as sinful in the hopes of limiting our freedom, rather, she does so as a loving Mother to protect us, so that, in freedom, we can choose what is right and good, and so experience the fullness of life that the Gospel promises, and not fall into the slavery that sin inevitably leads to.
Pope Benedict writes about the important role that structures play in promoting true freedom, such as various government structures. He says the following:
The right state of human affairs, the moral well-being of the world can never be guaranteed simply through structures alone, however good they are. Such structures are not only important, but necessary; yet they cannot and must not marginalize human freedom. Even the best structures function only when the community is animated by convictions capable of motivating people to assent freely to the social order. Freedom requires conviction; conviction does not exist on its own, but must always be gained anew by the community. (ibid.)
We have seen this play out in a variety of ways throughout the history of our country, on topics such as political freedom and independence at the beginning of our country, abolition of slavery and civil rights, women’s rights, labor rights, freedom of speech, immigration and refugee rights, and religious freedom, just to name a few. Our history as a nation demonstrates how freedom is always something that is in need of reflection and renewal. Though the Church is not directly involved in the creation and enforcement of civil laws, she provides a needed voice in these conversations to ensure that true freedom, according to the author of all good, namely God, is never ignored or rejected.