Living Liturgically Part 1: Creating Sacred Space
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I recently was in the car right before the Fourth of July and heard "God Bless America" and as I listened to those words, tears came to my eyes because I realized an important truth about freedom: It is always fought for to be won.
For us Catholics, it was won by Jesus our Savior. But day in and day out, it is fought for in our struggle against sin and the ways of the world that can often ensnare us.
Time and time again in the Gospels we see people fighting for healing and freedom from something that is causing them to suffer. They are fighting to get to Jesus, to be touched by Him, to hear His words, and to be freed of sickness physically, emotionally or spiritually. Many of those people fought for years with their suffering.
Similarly, look at the saints. They all fought for the eventual union they had with God, battling different spiritual struggles over the years. Union with the Lord was fought for day after day, year after year through prayer, service, and perseverence.
I think the same is true for us. I have found myself fighting different physical, emotional and spiritual torments through the years until Jesus inevitably frees me of them one by one at the right time. But I am never freed without a fight.
Like our country, our freedom spiritually is fought for, and with Christ as the Savior alongside us, we win it.
Katie Zalany lives in Cleveland Ohio. She is a Third Order Secular Franciscan (OFS), spiritual director, benefits/wellness leader, certified health and life coach, and volunteer. She is the creator of the ministry Women in Waiting | Made for Fruitfulness and is a published author. Her writing interests and focus areas include Gospel reflections, Franciscan spirituality, women's spirituality, prayer, and integration of faith and daily living.
