Meeting 4. - Freedom and Responsibility **************************************** .. tags:: content|freedom|Freedom, content|responsibility|Responsibility, content|discernment|Discernment, method|pytania-do-dzielenia|Questions for Sharing, method|discussion|Discussion, type|formacyjne|Formational Goal ==== To realize that freedom is not easy, that it has its consequences and is connected with responsibility. An attempt to answer the question: do I want such freedom? Prayer ====== Whatever anyone likes and wants :) Introduction ============ I would like us to start from a quote and stay a bit in its atmosphere. In today's world, freedom is not a problem. Freedom already exists. The question remains: what to do with freedom? -- Józef Tischner We have been talking about freedom for two days. We know we have it. We know it exists. We know what it consists of. And precisely what it consists of - isn't that terrible? The Catechism [1734] says that freedom makes us responsible for our actions. I would go further in interpretation. Not only for actions, but also for people with whom we live, are, meet, whom we love. For what we say, how we say it, etc. * Isn't such freedom something terrifying? * Has it ever occurred to me how many obligations weigh on me, precisely because I was given freedom? Let's read: Freedom is serfdom, a persistent, lonely, very exhausting run. -- A. Camus Freedom is not a gift, it has drops of sweat on its forehead. -- Zbigniew Jerzyna [poet, playwright, essayist] * Am I ready for such freedom? * Do I want such freedom? The most important question here is whether I want and am ready for such freedom. Does a person realize that this received gift is an enormous obligation. Does he know that it is precisely freedom, and not its lack, that is often the reason for fighting with oneself, with others? Do I Want to Be Free? ===================== It will end with them bringing their freedom to our feet and saying: take us into slavery instead and give us food ... (...) I tell you, truly the most exhausting concern of man is this: to find someone to whom one can give the gift of freedom, with which this unfortunate being is born... -- Fyodor Dostoevsky * Have I ever had such a moment in my life when making a choice was something terrible, uncomfortable for me, or did I have such a temptation for someone to make that choice for me? * Why is it that man is afraid of precisely this responsibility? Why is man afraid that he can be the cause of good in his own and someone else's life? Because that's what it's about. Freedom is not a reason for sadness and breakdown. We should [by the way, interesting why I use the word should] probably be satisfied that so much is in our hands. That we received such freedom of action. That so much good can arise. Freedom and Happiness...? ========================== Example: I stand before a choice. I see benefits, I see disadvantages of making such and not another decision. I know what decision I should make... but I don't want to. I know what would be good for others, but I would like to make a decision from my own angle. I know what I would want. Ultimately, however, conscience wins. I choose what I feel I should choose, even though I don't want to. * Am I a free person in such a case? Based on the Catechism definition - I am free, because I chose good, good for another, etc. But inside myself I have a feeling that if I had chosen differently, it would be better for me [so selfishly]. So basically I'm not happy.. On the other hand - if I had chosen for myself, having somewhere the needs of another person - then my conscience would probably gnaw at me. And I wouldn't be happy either ... ...and Thucydides [Greek historian] says: The foundation of happiness is freedom and the foundation of freedom is courage. -- Thucydides Summary ======= I don't know if a person will ever be able to say 100% that they are happy [free]. They would have to get rid of all human [in this sense sinful] reflexes, habits and customs. They would have to get rid of that note of selfishness that dwells in them [because it dwells in everyone]. They would have to get rid of fear, uncertainty, doubt, terror... they would have to get rid of many things. But isn't this our task on earth? Working on ourselves and on having THE COURAGE to be free. To oppose schemas and to fight for good. We must not forget that in this fight we are not alone. After all, Jesus says "Take courage" and "Do not be afraid" (Mt 14,27) "I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Mt 28,20). * Can I say about myself that I am a free person? .. note:: This is a question that can be made a sharing question ... or this question can end the meeting, leaving the answer to each individually.