True freedom is the freedom to love God. What, then, keeps us from being free to love God? Is it not a simple choice of deciding to love God? Essentially, it is a simple choice. But, there are many impediments that hinder one's ability to freely love God, and one intimate example is family and home. "Family is the extension of the self," as Tito Tony says from time to time.
In deciding what career to pursue, I have had an enormous temptation to find a job that will "make 'em proud" - "'em" being family and folks at home. But, to what extent have I misinterpreted "making 'em proud" for making them respect me, revere me, and look up to me? How have I wrongly associated salary and position with pride and honor? My selfishness, I believe, has darkened my understanding and pushed me to fall into this trap. St. Paul explains that "Love...is not pompous...inflated...[or] rude." My longing for love, to love and to be loved, has overcome me, but my distance from God leads me to live as though I alone can generate the love for which I yearn. This is wrong, however, and it is sinful. Love is not earned and self-generated, but is instead received first as a gift, wholly undeserved.
God says: "My townsmen's rejection of Me is meant to show you how the Father's calling for you requires you to detach yourself from wanting to "make [people from home] proud" for the sole sake of earning their respect. Often, the right thing to do will earn you nothing but their rejection and disappointment. But, forever will Nazareth be honored as the town from which I came, not because I chose to earn their respect but because I chose to do my Father's will. You will bring honor to your home by your faithfulness to my Will which requires complete detachment from the wants and needs of the self. Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you."
Quo vadis, Lord?
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