Thought for the Day - The image of freedom

“The Statue of Liberty Illuminating the World", Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, 1875. The Met, New York 

Thought for the day given at a lunchtime service of Holy Communion (BCP) at St Giles-in-the-Fields on Wednesday 3rd July 2024, based on the text of Amos 5.14-15, 21-24 & Matthew 8.28–end. You can listen to an audio recording of this reflection at this link.

What does freedom look like?

On this day one hundred and forty years ago, a huge copper personification of it was unveiled. Standing at the entrance to one of the busiest trading ports to the Land of the Free, her right hand holds aloft a lit torch and - perhaps less frequently observed - broken shackles lie at her feet. ‘Liberty Enlightening the World’ - to give The Statue of Liberty it its proper title - is the Enlightenment Era image of freedom.

The prophet Amos had a less singular vision in mind.

Amos was a shepherd who lived over two and a half thousand years ago during halcyon days for free market economists; trade across Israel and Judah was flourishing. People were living the dream. Believing their growing wealth was the result of their special favour from God, religious activity flourished. New shrines were established attracting huge crowds offering sacrifices of thanksgiving. But not all were benefitting. A great many people were homeless and destitute. Some were forced to trade their freedom – to sell themselves into slavery - because they couldn’t afford to pay off minor debts. Amos was called to prophesise amongst those assembled in the temples – calling out their hypocrisy. Pleading with them to address the plight of the poor in their midst or face the judgement of God.

For Amos, freedom looked like a world where God’s justice and righteousness prevailed. Inequality and suffering washed away. The image of true freedom had to be universal.

In our gospel reading Jesus releases two people who had been held captive by fierce demonic powers and condemned to live among the tombs outside the city. We aren’t told what their God-given freedom looked like. Our attention is drawn to the swineherds who, having seen their fatstock fly off a cliff, run off to tell their neighbours what happened. The whole city comes out to meet Jesus – and begs him to leave. Perhaps they too are concerned about losing their livelihoods if others are freed?

The people of Gergesa came face to face with true freedom. And they were terrified by what they saw.

We believe that through his life, death and resurrection, Jesus Christ has set us free. We are about to taste a reminder of that true freedom. Today the scriptures challenge us to ask ourselves: Do we see that true freedom in our own lives - and in the lives of those around us?

Image : “The Statue of Liberty Illuminating the World", Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, 1875. The Met, New York