Cor Vitae Formators Program Closing Retreat.
Galatians 4:22-24, 26-27, 31-5:1
Luke 11:29-32
Reflection:
Kenosis: Christ’s emptying Himself for the salvation of humanity (Philippians 2:7). It’s a profound act of love, humility, and trust in the Father. This is foundational to understanding the Christian call to freedom and the dangers of relying on signs or external validations, as seen in today’s readings.
Galatians 4:22-24, 26-27, 31-5:1: “Christ freed us: do not submit again to slavery”.
In Galatians, Paul contrasts two covenants: the slavery of the law and the freedom in Christ. Just as Isaac was the child of the promise, we are children of freedom, not bound by the law or worldly attachments. Paul implores us not to return to slavery, reminding us of the freedom Christ won for us.
This is where kenosis comes in: Christ’s self-emptying freed us. He gave up His divine privileges, submitting to the Father’s will. This act of emptying oneself is at the heart of Christian freedom—it is about trusting God fully and letting go of the things that enslave us, be it sin, fear, or worldly concerns.
Luke 11:29-32: Asking for a sign – not repenting and trusting in God.
Here, Jesus rebukes the crowds seeking a sign. He calls them an “evil generation” because they demand proof rather than trusting in God’s word. The only sign given is the sign of Jonah, which points to repentance and change of heart.
The people’s desire for a sign reflects a refusal to engage in self-emptying—a lack of trust and an unwillingness to surrender control to God. True freedom, like that in Galatians, comes from a deep relationship with God, a relationship built on trust and faith, not on outward signs or reassurances. The sign of Jonah is about repentance, a change of heart that leads to life, just as kenosis is about emptying oneself for the sake of transformation.
Connecting Kenosis to Freedom:
- Freedom through self-emptying: Just as Christ emptied Himself, we are called to do the same. Our lives must reflect a surrender to God, which leads to true freedom. This is what Paul speaks of in Galatians—Christ freed us, and we must not go back to being enslaved by fear, sin, or worldly desires.
- Repentance and trust: The crowds in Luke seek a sign because they don’t want to trust or repent. Yet the only sign offered is the call to repentance—the kenosis of the heart. By letting go of our need for control, signs, and assurances, we can embrace the true freedom Christ offers.