On Life 77 – Be Responsible – May 16, 2015

   Gazing at the horizon, he allowed his thoughts to flow, yet no farther than his mind. He kept recalling his past: the child running to his father, the youngster with his high-school colleagues amidst whom stood their Arabic teacher smiling kindly… This flash back had happiness and sadness. Yet, time stopped for a moment as he posed a question, “Are you really free?”

   Freedom! Humanity’s dream! Let us contemplate its secrets in order to achieve it.

   As we start the journey to freedom, we should ask ourselves, “Is man entitled to seek freedom?” Before you answer, let us remember Sigmund Freud’s words,“Most people do not really want freedom: for freedom entails responsibility, and most people dread responsibility.” Here, a voice echoes within man’s heart, “Be honest; think honestly with yourself as you get ready to be responsible for your deeds and decisions, without seeking people or circumstances to throw the consequences on.” It is said, “The first step toward freedom is refraining from throwing responsibility on others.” It is not just the others, but circumstances that you put before you to throw away responsibility. Abraham Lincoln links freedom with responsibility, saying, “Freedom is the desire to be responsible for yourself.” If you want to be free, start by learning how to be responsible for yourself.

   For man to understand his potential that qualifies him to bear certain responsibilities, he had to be fully aware of his self, talents, and circumstances: that he might make his decisions freely and correctly. Freedom starts when ignorance ends. Generally, the more man knows himself, others, things, and circumstances, the clearer his vision and ability to act become.

   Nelson Mandela, whose mission was achieving freedom, expresses new aspects of it, saying, “Freedom does not mean breaking one’s bonds. Rather, it means that one should boost and respect that of others.” True freedom seems physical. Yet, deep down, it means that one does not annul others’ freedom. Life is full of people who think they live freely. Yet, in reality, they are prisoners of their narrow minds and fear of responsibility.

General Bishop

Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center