Tuesday, January 26, 2016 - India's Republic Day - The Truth in Jesus will set you free

To read the texts click on the texts: 1 Tim 2:1-6; Jn 8:33-36

January 26, 1950, is one of the most important days in Indian history as it was on this day the constitution of India came into force and India became a truly sovereign state. On this day India became a totally republican unit.

It was at the Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress at midnight of December 31, 1929 - January 1, 1930, that the Tri-Colour Flag was unfurled by the nationalists and a pledge taken that every year on January 26, the "Republic Day" would be celebrated and that the people would unceasingly strive for the establishment of a Sovereign Democratic Republic of India. The professed pledge came to fruition on January 26, 1950, when the Constitution of India framed by the Constituent Assembly of India came into force, although the Independence from the British rule was achieved on August 15, 1947.  

In the first reading chosen for today, the primary emphasis seems to be to stress the breadth of concern for each other that Christians must aspire to express which is a reflection of God’s concern is. Prayer must be communitarian in that it must be made for all. Those in authority need prayers and so Christians must prayer for them.

The Gospel text of today is about Jesus’ interpretation of freedom. Freedom, according to Jesus, is primarily freedom from sin. Sin in this context may be seen as the refusal to acknowledge Jesus as sent by God to set people free. Consequently, freedom is to know and follow the truth. THE TRUTH in all its fullness is manifested in Jesus.

On the 66^th Anniversary of our Republic day we need to ask ourselves if we are indeed free.