Collect taken from Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter.
Collect: O God, author of our freedom and of our salvation, listen to the voice of our pleading and grant that those you have redeemed by the shedding of your Son’s Blood may have life through you
and, under your protection, rejoice for ever unharmed. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son…
“O God, author of our freedom and of our salvation, listen to the voice of our pleading“
– We have free will and that is the image of God in us. Sin enslaves us and takes away our freedom, so by saving us from sin, God restores the freedom that he gave to us in the first place. We need to acknowledge this with gratitude and plead for the grace to preserve our freedom.
“grant that those you have redeemed by the shedding of your Son’s Blood may have life through you
and, under your protection, rejoice for ever unharmed.”
– Blood is the sign of life for a scriptural worldview and so to gain life by the shedding of blood is a powerful paradox. Remembering this act of love, we are confident that God is eager to preserve and protect the life he won for us.
Questions & Advice: How do you understand freedom? Is it merely the ability to choose between two or more options? Or is it the opportunity and ability to willingly choose what is good? How do you understand God’s protection?
Read about Free Will in the Catechism or other Catholic sources. Reflect on your prayer life; how often do you “plead” for God’s grace and protection?