The ugliness of slavery is palpable. Upon reflecting on this concept, it's easy to consider it a relic of the past, an era of the Ottomans, but it doesn't take long to realize that, unfortunately, various forms of bondage still exist in our times. There are many individuals exploited by heartless people who, to fatten their wallets, are ready to do anything. However, upon deeper reflection, one realizes that the worst form of misery is when a person enslaves themselves: addictions are when a person becomes a slave to their inner desires.
In today's first reading, we heard that after the people were freed from the slavery of Egypt, God made a covenant with them at Mount Sinai. To understand this, one must deeply reflect on the first sentence God spoke: "I am the Lord, your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage." God is telling the people to accept this law from the hands of a God who loves them dearly. He gave them this law to protect them from a worse form of bondage, the bondage of sin, or becoming a slave to oneself. This law of God, or the Ten Commandments, is the foundation of every human civilization that respects human dignity.
Reflecting on today's Gospel, we realize that such bondage is not only a concern for every individual but also for groups, societies, and every human structure, including religious ones, which are in danger of falling into some form of slavery. The religious system of Jesus' time was corrupt; the religious authorities were blinded by the pursuit of power and worldly riches. Therefore, to maintain their appearance in the eyes of the people, they had to wear a mask that looked beautiful but was far from their true selves. To defend this lie, they were even ready to dispose of God's Sent One, His only Son, who came to save the world and reveal the truth. I can think of no worse slavery than this, where a person is so deluded that they start calling white black and black white because it suits them: at that moment, a person thinks they are getting away with it, but such a life cannot go on forever. Eventually, the moment of truth arrives that no one can escape, and the person who lived a lie sees their life crumble before them: if only at that moment, they have enough humility to admit they were wrong about everything and ask God for forgiveness.
In today's Gospel, we see that the covenant God made with His people through the law in the Old Testament is now made with all humanity through His Son. "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up"… But he was speaking about the temple of his body.' Now, the true centre of Faith is not the temple but Jesus Himself, the true Temple that unites earth with heaven, He is the bridge that connects man to God who created him. This means that now man is not only called to live the commandments but to live them with the great love of Jesus: this is the fulfillment of the law as He Himself told us. We ask ourselves: in my life, what is more important, that I don't get caught when I do wrong, or that I live with conviction what I believe is right and just? What is my relationship with Jesus, do I believe that only He can give me true freedom, the freedom that no one and nothing can take away from me?
We pray, Lord, help us always to keep our eyes open and never to be blinded by the things of this world, whatever they may be and wherever they may come from. Help us understand that only You can give us true freedom; not a selfish freedom where I do what I want and what pleases me, but the freedom of love that leads us to love and respect each other as You want us to.
Gospel readings: https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
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