No matter how much we like the word “freedom” the reality can be a little frightening. “Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose.” To become free we have to allow all binding attachments to be loosed. Freedom is nakedness, according to the ancient maxim, “Naked to follow the naked Christ.” For much of our life the rigor of this precept is waived. At a certain point, however, we are suddenly confronted with its exigency. We have lost much, we have been the victims of destructiveness, and now we are called freely to give up the little that remains. It seems so unreasonable. And yet unless we neutralize our paltry possessiveness we will be left in limbo indefinitely. We may ruefully discover that it is easier to be generous in a time of abundance than to give what seems to be our last, pitiable resource. But it is precisely this final and radical act of trust that God requires of us at this time.
Michael Casey
Toward God, pp. 165-166
